| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Lalande Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This 11 hectare property in Lalande de Pomerol is situated 1 km from the famous plateau of Pomerol, and is visible from the back door of Eglise Clinet. The Château was purchased in 2000 by Denis Durantou who ages the crop in 50% new oak and relegates fruit from the younger vines to his La Chenade label. Often better than many Pomerols and Saint Emilions that we taste, yet far cheaper thanks to the unfashionable appellation. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are selected from the best terroirs of the vineyard - clay soils similar to those on the plateau of Pomerol. A wine that always reminds us of a top Pomerol. Recent vintages have been stunning and there have been impressive results in recent blind tastings including the "Southwold Group". Along with Roc de Cambes, this is, in our view, the best wine produced in a "satelite appellation" of Bordeaux. Pricing policy is moderate. We absolutely love Les Cruzelles!
The 2016 Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou’s other Lalande de Pomerol after La Chenade, was bottled around the same time, at the end of May 2018. It has a slightly more savory bouquet than the La Chenade, featuring scents of black cherry and lavender plus light notes of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grippy tannin. There is a symmetry and tension about this Les Cruzelles that I love. It’s a tad closed at the moment, but it will open in its own time. "Give it a chance to mellow," says Durantou. Sage advice. Drink 2022-2038.
Decadent and rich aromas of dark berries and chocolate with some meat, following through to a medium to full body, round and juicy tannins and a fine, flavorful finish. Drink now.
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, 2016 Les Cruzelles is deep garnet in color. It bursts with impressive scents of black plum preserves and blackberry pie, followed by hints of cracked black pepper, charcuterie, tar, and mossy tree bark. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft textured and delicately played with a lively backbone and a long earthy finish.
Another success from Denis Durantou. How many times does this man need to prove that he can deliver in every vintage? His wines are just so utterly drinkable, that's the key to Durantou. This was a little tighter and more serious, then we changed samples to a younger one which is more expressive, and you feel the juice catching the tannins in that wonderful way where there are two tracks happening - the top frame of fruits and wet stones, and then the juice bubbling underneath, filling out the mid-palate. Love this. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc on gravel-clay soils yielding 40hl/ha, aged in 50% new oak. The Merlot was picked between 22nd and 29th September while the Cab Franc was picked on 6th October.
Tasted blind. Rich black-fruit aromas and good juiciness. Sufficient flesh and reward. Good drive. Top wine of flight 10. Good Value
Bright red fruits and sweet smoke on the nose, with floral lift accenting the rich, ripe cherries at the core. Smooth and refined tannins give a velveteen texture that allows the fruit to shine. Plums, cherries and just a hint of bramble linger together at the core, with touches of blossom as the acid builds freshness. Notes of coffee and spice build through to the finish, which is chalky and pure. This is still youthful but should open up with two years in bottle, and continue to drink for the following 10+ years.
This wine won its flight and beat over 40 Pomerols and St Emilions in the Southwold Group tasting.
The nose is bright and fresh the start of the palate has red fruits and fresh black depth rich ripe fruit on the mid palate fleshy and supple. Fine tannins support but are not obvious the back palate has ripe damsons the finish lighter with bramble freshness. 2025-37
Les Cruzelles is sourced from clay soils and tends to be more structured and backward than its stable mate, La Chenade. Firm and slightly gruff in its youth, but with lovely underlying fruit, subtle oak and the texture that it always a feature of Denis Durantou’s wines. 2022-30
If La Chenade (q.v.) is the Red Maiden then Les Cruzelles is the Black Knight. The liquorice and black cherry notes here,
coupled with the delicious, lip-smacking acidity and plush mid-palate make this a drop dead gorgeous wine.
The 2016 Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou's second estate in Lalande-de-Pomerol, is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked 22-29 September and on 6 October, respectively. The yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare, and it is matured in 50% new oak. It has a very fragrant bouquet with perfumed red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit infused with minerals, like the La Chenade, very harmonious and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, crisp acidity, a little spicier than the La Chenade and perhaps with a touch more persistence on the finish. Cellar space should be made for this sensual and engaging wine, and if prices follow their trend as in previous years, it could be one of the Right Bank's outstanding values. Drink 2020 - 2035.
A very finely textured red with cherries, chocolate and berries. Medium body and fine tannins. A beauty.
The medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Les Cruzelles gives up notes of raspberry preserves and chocolate-covered cherries with touches of unsmoked cigars and tilled soil. Medium-bodied and softly textured, the palate delivers loads of red and black fruits with a velvety texture and lively finish. 2020 - 2033
September and 6 October. More clay and 50% new oak.
Ripe and round with real racy structure. Lots of energy and a little more tannin than the Chenade. Good stuff! GV
Drink 2022-2030
This 11 hectare property in Lalande de Pomerol is situated 1 km from the famous plateau of Pomerol, and is visible from the back door of Eglise Clinet. The Château was purchased in 2000 by Denis Durantou who ages the crop in 50% new oak and relegates fruit from the younger vines to his La Chenade label. Often better than many Pomerols and Saint Emilions that we taste, yet far cheaper thanks to the unfashionable appellation. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are selected from the best terroirs of the vineyard - clay soils similar to those on the plateau of Pomerol. A wine that always reminds us of a top Pomerol. Recent vintages have been stunning and there have been impressive results in recent blind tastings including the "Southwold Group". Along with Roc de Cambes, this is, in our view, the best wine produced in a "satelite appellation" of Bordeaux. Pricing policy is moderate. We absolutely love Les Cruzelles! 2200 cases produced in 2016. Spicy and smoky on the nose with bramble fruit giving a sweet and savoury, complex bouquet. The palate is powerful, ripe and intense with black fruits, smoky char and incense. The tannins are fine, ripe and silky like a fine, high-tier Pomerol and frame the fruit core perfectly. Spicy, exotice anise notes come through on the finish with hints of coffee and cocoa. Once again, a standout wine that is a must-buy for anyone interested in 2016 Bordeaux.
