The 2017 Montlandrie was picked from 13 to 28 September. It boasts an utterly charming bouquet with blackberry, raspberry and just a hint of crushed violet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, dark fruit but fresh and lively, very precise with a welcome dash of black pepper towards the graphite-tinged finish. Denis Durantou described this as one of his favorite wines of 2017 and I can understand why. 91-92 points

This has great aromatics right off the bat and a creaminess to the fruit. Yet there’s still freshness delivered by menthol notes on the finish, along with tight spices. This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon that is already pulling its weight. Firm, bright, with real finesse and confidence. Good for medium-term drinking. No frost here, which makes winemaker Denis Durantou very lucky as some parts of Castillon were pretty badly hit. Merlot picked 20-26 September, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon September 28. Production this year expected to be 43,000 bottles, 40% new oak used.

A Denis Durantou wine. 75% Merlot (picked 20–26 September 2017), 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (both Cabernets picked 28 September 2017). 40% new oak. Black core and dark purple crimson rim. Lovely dark cherry-chocolate aroma: both fruit and oak. Fine chalky texture is quite different from the Denis Durantou Lalande wines just tasted. More limestone? Tight and fresh, all still to come, finishing fresh. 16.5 points

A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Montlandrie gives up notes of crushed black plums, red currants and black cherries with suggestions of cigar box, yeast extract, tapenade and underbrush. Medium-bodied with a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins, it has beautiful freshness and a mineral-tinged finish. 91-93 points