Montlandrie - Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2020

Vinous

87-87

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2020 Montlandrie has an intense spearmint-scented bouquet that feels just a bit one-dimensional at the moment. Perhaps it is going through a dumb phase? The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, a bit dry and stolid toward the finish. I wonder if the fruit might fade before the tannins polymerize? I gave this a tentative reception before, and this seems to vindicate that it's not the best Montlandrie in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The Wine Independent

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe6/12/2024

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe4/18/2023

Wine Advocate

92

byYohan Castaingthe4/13/2023

The 2020 Montlandrie is a promising wine for aficionados who can keep it for a few years in the cellar. It has aromas of blackberries, iris, spring flowers, blackcurrant and blueberry, followed by a medium-bodied, concentrated and layered texture on the palate with a denser character than previous vintages. It’s harmonious with a clean and precise finish.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

From a Castillon estate purchased and replanted in 2009, the 2020 Château Montlandrie checks in as 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 40% new French oak. This balanced, medium to full-bodied Castillon reveals plenty of red and black fruit as well as some real limestone character in its floral, violet, and chalky rock-like nuances. I love its balance, and it has ripe tannins and the purity and precision that make this vintage so compelling. It will drink well for 10-15 years.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Deep, dark, earthy plums, black cherry liqueur, truffles, flowers and espresso beans create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, opulent and fresh, with a nice sweetness to the layers of red and black fruits that fill and linger on your palate. This is the best vintage of Montlandrie I have ever tasted! Drink from 2024-2036.

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/15/2023

Wines Critic

92

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Solid and centred showing notes of lavender, hibiscus, geraniums, mixed prunes and coriander. Full bodied, slightly rigid tannins and a vertical finale with optimum progression. Better from 2024.

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

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.

Vinous

89

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Montlandrie is one of the more showy wines from the Durantou's this vintage. It is quite plush and sensual with scents of crème de cassis, crushed violet and a hint of star anis. Nicely defined, though their Lalande-de-Pomerols demonstrate a little more class. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fleshy and generous, a little sweeter than the Les Cruzelles with a pure, quite intense finish. Fine - it just needs a couple of years in bottle.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe1/16/2023

Intense and concentrated, blueberry and blackberry fruits lifted by strands of saffron and oyster shell, austere on the finish, good stuff. 40% new oak, harvest September 18 to 25, 45hl/ha yield, 3.6ph. Noemie Durantou winemaker alongside Olivier Gautrat.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Montlandrie is powerful, densely constituted and full of character. Inky red/purplish fruit, cedar, spice, mocha and dried flowers are all laced together. Far from an easygoing wine, it packs a serious punch, and I expect it will age wonderfully. In 2020, the Montlandrie may very well be the hidden gem in the Durantou range. (This is the second year in the new winery.)

Vinous

88-90

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Montlandrie was picked September 18–25 and matured in 40% new oak. It has an exuberant, ripe bouquet, a mixture of red and blueberry fruit, crushed violets and potpourri aromas surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, sweet and sensual, although I find less complexity on the finish compared directly with its siblings, La Chenade and Les Cruzelles. Still, this will give several years of drinking pleasure.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Denis Durantou estate up on the limestone plateau of Castillon, now vinified by his daughter Noémie Durantou. Deeply coloured, ruby in colour with fleshy fruit, not giving a whole lot away right now, but this is a fairly discreet vintage in many ways. The dominant impression is of a rough linen and wet stone texture that reflects its limestone soils. Width and depth as it opens in the palate, serious for now but with plenty to give. A yield of 45hl/ha. 3.6pH.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-91

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Plum liqueur, flowers, truffles and crushed stone all make an appearance on the nose. On the medium-bodied palate, the wine is soft, fresh, lively, sweet and round, finishing with lifted, ripe, juicy red plums, licorice, spice and black cherry. 92-91

Wine Advocate

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was picked between the 18th and the 22nd of September, and the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon were picked from the 23rd to the 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 40% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackberries, fresh, juicy black plums and mulberries, plus hints of bay leaves, cardamom, ground black pepper and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate possesses impressive freshness with a solid backbone of soft, rounded tannins and bags of ripe black fruits, finishing long with a peppery kick. 53,000 bottles are expected to be made.

Anthocyanes

93-95

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Nez légèrement bourgeon de cassis, mure, cassis, très frais et pur. Bouche droite, tendue, presque cristalline avec une finale aérienne et fraiche. Sur l'allonge et la tension finale. Très belle fraicheur.

My Bettane + Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

On aime ce 2020 pour son volume parfait, remarquable d’intensité et de volupté. Grand raffinement de texture, puissance domptée, soyeux de tannin remarquable, c’est un très grand qui gagne à chaque millésime la bataille de Castillon.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2021

Very salty and tangy with some white pepper, too, as well as lots of blackberries and blueberries. Medium body with delicate yet firm tannins that show intensity. Firm finish.