A perennial no-brainer, the 2019 Château Montlandrie sports a vivid purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of juicy black cherries, blueberries, tobacco, and cedarwood, with some classic chalky minerality in the background. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific purity of fruit, silky tannins, and a great finish. I’d be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar, and it should have 10-15 years of longevity.

The 2019 Montlandrie is composed of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it gallops out with energetic notes of juicy black plums and black cherries followed by wafts of clove oil, lavender, and espresso. The full-bodied palate is chock full of black fruits with a firm, grainy texture and earth-laced finish.

Blueberries and dark cherries with walnuts and hazelnuts. Some nutmeg, too. Medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Very fine tannins. Drink after 2025, but already gorgeous.

The 2019 Montlandrie has quite an intense nose with blackberry, briary and desiccated orange peel scents, nicely delineated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, cedar-infused black fruit, fresh and nicely structured with a quasi-Médoc finish that conveys a sense of energy. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2025-2042.