Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Flowers, black licorice, blackberries and minerals all rise to the surface. Transparent. Medium to full bodied, polished and ultra-fine. This is a wine guided for a long time by the owner of Pomerol’s l’Eglise Clinet. Regal. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 29 and October 8, and matured in 45% new oak. This is perhaps more precocious on the nose compared to Denis Durantou's La Chenade and Les Cruzelles 2015s, gradually revealing an attractive floral, dried rose petal/pot pourri scent as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite grippy in the mouth, the acidity nicely judged here and again, very harmonious and sensual on the finish. You could almost whisk this out of barrel and drink this now, but preferably, give it 4-5 years in bottle.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Château Montlandrie is another gem in this terrific vintage. Made from mostly Merlot blended with 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and brought up in just under 50% new barrels, it offers lots of black cherries, forest floor, toasted spice and dried earth aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, beautifully concentrated and with plenty of tannins, it shows the sexier side to the vintage, yet has structure, acidity, and terrific purity. It's hard to resist today, but will be even better in 2-3 years and have 10-15 years or more of overall longevity.
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Wine Spectator
A warm, inviting style, with layers of plum sauce, cassis and boysenberry preserves gliding along. Fruitcake, licorice and roasted apple wood notes form the frame, with the fruit pushing through nicely on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2025.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Though the region is larger than many of its Right Bank neighbors, it is one that consistently produces high quality, well-valued red wines. In fact, Cotes de Castillon can almost be considered a geographical eastern extension of St. Emilion, producing similarly-fashioned reds based on Merlot.
Vineyards in the region’s clay, limestone and sandstone soils produce sturdy red wines. On alluvial terraces, in vineyards closer to the Dordogne River, wines tend to be more supple and fruity. In either case, a great Cotes de Castillon red will be bursting with raspberry, plum and blueberry, have an enticing bouquet of dried flowers and a finish that is plush and opulent.