Château Montlandrie

5/10/2017 Wein Wisser WEIN WISSER (RENÉ GABRIEL) : 17 / 20 5/2/2017 Martin WINE ADVOCATE (NEAL MARTIN) : 91-93 / 100 The 2016 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 3-17 October. It was picked at 40 hectoliters per hectare and raised in 60% new oak (although my sample was from a one-year-old barrel). It is the first vintage to include more than 80% of the vines that were planted by Denis Durantou after 2008. This has a more broody bouquet than the two Lalande-de-Pomerols, just a touch of leafiness originating from the Cabernet Sauvignon that enhances the complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine structure, more saline than the Les Cruzelles, backward at the moment, but the Cabernets impart some lovely graphite notes on the saline finish. Superb. Expect this to land towards the top of my banded score once in bottle. 4/26/2017 Vinous VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) : 88-91 / 100 The 2016 Montlandrie is powerful and bold to its core. Layers of dense, dark fruit, chocolate, lavender spice and sweet oak saturate the palate. Dense and voluptuous, this racy wine from Denis Durantou is packed and ready to deliver maximum pleasure upon release. Tasted two times. 4/25/2017 Jukes MATTHEWJUKES.COM (MATTHEW JUKES) : 17 / 20 (75 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc, 5 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 60% new oak | 14% alc. | 40 hl/ha. Montlandrie parades some serious graphite notes and fine-grained tannins which make it rather hard for the fruit to be heard. With a dark hue and a closed palate, this is a wine which requires thought. The strong bass note of fruit gives it a more introspective demeanour, making this the sleeper of the Durantou family. 17++ 4/20/2017 Robinson JANCIS ROBINSON (JANCIS ROBINSON) : 17 / 20 They bought the first bit of this property in 2008, then another bit in 2009. Same geological profile as Pavie and Tertre Roteboeuf. Now for the first time from the Église-Clinet vines that Durantou planted in 2009 and 2011. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked 3-17 October. 60% new oak. 3,400 cases. 15 ha of vines and the rest will be truffle oaks. Very deep crimson. Intense nose. Sweet start and very dramatic. This should be worth looking out for over the next few vintages. Real improvement this year! 4/10/2017 Wine Spectator WINE SPECTATOR (JAMES MOLESWORTH) : 89-92 / 100 Fresh and engaging, with lovely raspberry and plum fruit, backed by a pronounced minerally edge. Shows a slightly firm spine through the spice-tinged finish.—J.M. 4/5/2017 Jamessuckling.com JAMESSUCKLING.COM (JAMES SUCKLING) : 92-93 / 100 Very fine and polished with pretty tannins, balance and fruit. Medium-bodied, fresh and clean. All about clarity.