Château Montlandrie 2023

Chateau Montlandrie lies in Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux, the cooler hillside appellation east of Saint-Emilion, on an estate of around twelve hectares marked by its old stone tower. It was acquired in 2009 by Denis Durantou, the respected owner of Chateau L'Eglise-Clinet in Pomerol, whose family continues the work. The blend is Merlot with Cabernet Franc. The limestone and clay slopes of Castillon give freshness and a firm mineral spine, with the higher, cooler sites holding acidity in warm years, while Merlot supplies the dark, fleshy fruit. The wine ages around twelve months in French oak barriques of two hundred and twenty five litres, where slow oxygen exchange settles the tannin and adds sweet spice. Malolactic fermentation softens the acidity and rounds the palate. Colour is deep ruby. The nose shows blackberry and wild black fruit with a floral note and a subtle reductive, savoury edge. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fresh acidity, fine tannin and an earthy, peppery finish that reflects the limestone. Decant for half an hour and serve at around seventeen degrees, with roast beef, lamb or mushroom dishes.