From the dynamic stable of Denis Durantou, this vintage offers so much wine and superb value.
The nose here is elegant and floral - violet notes and some cedary toast. On the palate this is more serious and intense. Lovely clean, precise fruit, Cabernet Franc giving a depth of cherry and blueberry. Lovely firm tannin and mineral structure frames the intense dark fruit below. The long and spicy finish is punctuated with bright high-toned, red fruit almost cranberry-like notes. Really very good.
His flagship Chateau L'Eglise Clinet is regarded as Pomerol royalty, but for those who want exception quality and like the idea of a bargain, should fill their boots with Chateau Montlandrie. This is Denis' property on the hill of Castillon.
Castillon is a continuation of the Cote of St Emilion and this is reflected in the terroir of this 12, hectare vineyard. Clay and limestone soils and a steep southerly facing aspect provide perfect conditions. Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominate plantings (65% and 20% respectively) with 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Purchased in 2009 by Denis Durantou, the owner of Chateu L'Eglise Clinet in Pomerol Chateau Montlandrie dates back to the late 1800's when the Right Bank property was founded by an Italian family. Chateau Montlandrie stands out due to the ancient stone tower located in the middle of the vineyards.
The 12, hectare vineyard of Chateau Montlandrie is planted to 65% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The addition of Cabernet Sauvignon is new to the vineyards. The first vintage to include the Cabernet Sauvignon is 2013. The terroir consists of clay and limestone soils on the plateau of Cotes de Castillon. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare. The terroir is similar to what you will find in many of the better St. Emilion vineyards. In fact, the elevation of the vineyards shares characteristics with St. Emilion as well, with peaks that reach close to 80 meters high.
To produce the wine of Chateau Montlandrie, the wine is vinified in 15, small, temperature controlled, stainless vats that range in size from 24 hectoliters up to 82 hectoliters. This allows for plot by plot vinification as the vineyard is divided into 15 parcels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in 30% new, French oak barres for an average of 14 months. The average annual production of Chateau Montlandrie ranges from 2,000 cases to 2,250 cases of wine per vintage. Chateau Montlandrie made its debut with the 2009 vintage. This wine offers a lot of bang for the buck and is well worth seeking out for Bordeaux value wine seekers.
Chargrilled Cotes de Boeuf
