Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Lalande Pomerol |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Vignobles Denis Durantou
Delicious wine from proprietor Denis Durantou, who is better known as the magician behind the great Pomerols of L-Eglise Clinet. This relatively nearby vineyard in Lalande has turned out a nice, ripe, rich, medium-bodied, opulent style of wine with lovely mulberry and black cherry fruit, as well as hints of new saddle leather and spice. It is medium-bodied, easygoing and doesn-t have the substance or power to last more than 4 or 5 years, but so what? Drink it up.
The 2013 Les Cruzelles has an expressive, open and generous bouquet, with vivacious red cherries and mulberry-scented bouquet that has impressive intensity given the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, more black rather than red fruit, good mineralité and tension, leading to the refined, saline finish that I remarked upon when I tasted this from barrel. It outperforms many other Right Bank 2013s with loftier reputations.
Rarely fails. Attractive crushed red berry nose. Good depth of fruit. Long, fresh and satisfying.
Drink: 2017-2023
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Vibrant perfume, black cherry, wood smoke that dominates the finish. Modern, sleek, juicy. I find this really attractive, though the oak is teetering on being overdone. (RH)
2016-2023
The Les Cruzelles was picked from 26 September until 2 October, the same as La Chenade, and is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The nose is so pure, it almost reminds me of a top quality New World Pinot Noir. Blueberry and cassis to the fore! The palate is medium-bodied with firmer and more present tannins than the La Chenade, rendering this more masculine and probably with more longevity. It exerts a gentle grip towards the saline finish that feels natural and refined. Very fine.