2020 Chateau Montlandrie, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
Up until 2019 the late great Denis Durantou was the winemaker here. Denis took over his family property Eglise Clinet in the early 1980s and turned it into one of Pomerol’s superstars before turning his hand to making wines in the surrounding appellations. These are now some of the best value wines in all of Bordeaux with incredibly consistent quality, plush ripe fruit and very smooth tannins.
One of the best wines from Castillon, from its highest slope, Montlandrie gets better every year. Production is small and the wine is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
"The 2020 Montlandrie, the Durantou family's Côtes de Castillon, is fabulous. It is another very serious wine in this range. A core of dark Merlot fruit gradually opens, releasing complicating notes of spice, leather, incense and licorice. There's real depth and gravitas. A few years in the cellar seem prudent, as there is a lot of wine here. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Drink 2025-2035." Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com