Château Montfollet - Blaye Le Valentin rouge 2023

The 67 hectares of vineyards on this family-owned estate overlook the Gironde estuary, directly across from Margaux’s most prestigious wines. Committed to unlocking the potential of these magnificent terroirs while respecting the environment, Dominique Raimond employs every possible method of cultivation and winemaking to produce a great wine from the Blaye region. The whites are generally very aromatic, with lovely structure and a perfect balance of freshness. The Côtes-de-Bourg “Cuvée Altus” is always top-notch, as is the grand vin from Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux. A flagship estate in both appellations. Montfollet is part of the Châteaux Solidaires association, which brings together ten winemakers from the Blayais region who maintain their own identities while sharing cellars and equipment in a cooperative spirit. Château Haut-Prieur is part of this association, and its 2016 vintage is superb.

This is a lovely, well-structured wine, bursting with rich aromas of dark fruits—blackcurrant in particular—and a few woody notes. With rich tannins, it’s powerful and has a long finish; it will need to mellow further before pairing well with flavorful meats. 2028–2033

Château Montfollet, one of the leading estates in the Blaye and Bourgeais regions, has been managed since 1991 by Dominique Raimond, who also owns several other châteaux: Haut Lalande, Graulet, Merigot, Haut Grela, and Puy d’Amour. Dominique Raimond is a member of the Cars cooperative (founded in 1937), renamed “Châteaux solidaires” in 2011, which vinifies the harvests of about ten member châteaux—all of which are selected through a very rigorous process—separately.

Barrel aging gives this wine its toasty aroma and spicy texture. It is a structured wine with firm tannins and a dry mid-palate. Notes of black fruit envelop the wine’s density, giving it a juicy character. Best enjoyed starting in 2027.

A robust, juicy, and lively blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Malbec. The nose reveals notes of black plum, bark, dried herbs, and baking spices. Medium-bodied, it features fine, firm tannins. A hint of spice on the mid-palate complements the structured, powerful mouthfeel and the savory, lingering finish. Ready to drink now or for aging.