2010 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.

"One of Denis Durantou's first vintages at this estate, which was extensively replanted with vine material from Église-Clinet in Pomerol, the 2010 Montlandrie is showing nicely, exhibiting aromas of rich berry fruit and nicely integrated creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe tannins and lively acids, it displayed more texture five or six years ago, so now might be time to drink up, given its predominantly young-vine origins. Drink 2012-2025."  William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, August 2022