Les Cruzelles 2018

This is produced by Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet. The 2018 Les Cruzelles is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc with 40% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it features slightly reduced notions of asphalt and tires over a core of warm red and black plums, blackberry pie and boysenberries with hints of fruitcake, incense and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and packed with perfumed black fruit, it has a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long.

This is a firm and lightly chewy young wine with dark berries and blueberries and wet earth. Stony undertone. Full to medium body. Linear finish.

The 2018 Les Cruzelles emerges from older vines Denis Durantou's Lalande De Pomerol property. Clay/gravelly soils in this parcels give the Cruzelles a darker fruit profile and greater breadth as well as more tannic clout than its sibling. Inky, dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice all develop in the glass. This is an especially powerful, structured expression of Lalande de Pomerol, and it works beautifully.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc; 40% new oak. Barrel sample.
Black core with purple rim. Much fresher and more aromatic than the Chenade. Juicier and more supple to begin, with lively freshness, but the tannins are powerful and compact and it’s a bit tough on the finish. (JH) 14.5%
Drink 2025-2030

Very deep purple in colour, with a perfumed but rich nose of black cherries, violets, and nutmeg. The palate is glossy on entry, with opulent, ripe black and red fruits at the core. The tannins build through the mid palate, giving a rich and ripe structure for the fruit. Bright acidity tames the fleshy, exotic notes and adds a savoury, spicy complexity. The finish is extremely long, pure and harmonious, powerful yet perfectly poised. This is a standout wine in 2018, and will without doubt be one of the value picks of the vintage.

From the team of Denis Durantou, notes of cassis, violets, tobacco, and earth all emerge from the 2018 Château Les Cruzelles, which is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new barrels. It's medium to full-bodied, elegant, and weightless on the palate, with loads to love. I also suspect it will represent a stunning value for true wine lovers (and drinkers) out there.

(80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc) | 40% new oak | 14.5% alc | The Merlot was picked between the 18th and 25th September and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 28th September | 31500 bottles were produced With ‘sweeter’ fruit notes on the nose than both Saintem and La Chenade, this is initially a more flattering wine, but the tannins swoop in and there is a very dry finish here which shows smokiness and tobacco tones, making this an exotic wine. It will need a decade, but I anticipate a complete and complex wine in time. 17++