Vignobles Denis Durantou

The Durantou family wines offer some of the best value in all Bordeaux. While their rightly lauded Pomerol, Château l’Eglise Clinet, can sell for several hundred pounds a bottle, this range offers the same expertise and precision without breaking the bank. Château Les Cruzelles lies 1km from the Pomerol plateau and shares the same soils as many of the most famous names from the appellation, but due to its location in the satellite Lalande de Pomerol, it is available for a fraction of the price. The 11ha property is planted primarily with Merlot, with a minority Cabernet Franc. A true grand vin, the wines made here are powerful and complex, worthy of ageing in bottle. The late Denis Durantou bought this property in 2000 and dedicated significant time and money in turning the wines made here into the best you can buy in the appellation. The second wine from this property – La Chenade – is terrific value for money, a soft and approachable wine. Montlandrie, based in the Côtes de Castillon, has improved significantly since its first vintage in 2009. This powerful Saint Emillion lookalike is based on Merlot but typically has a significant proportion of Cabernet Franc. The modestly price Saintayme (or Saintem) completes the line up. From a 9ha plot of 35-year-old vines in Saint Emilion, it is 100% Merlot and like Chenade is a rounded, fleshy and approachable wine. Denis’ daughters Noémie and Constance are now in charge of these properties, and continue to champion the less fashionable appellations of the right bank.