CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES
2012 Lalande de Pomerol
Another really enjoyable wine to taste from Denis Durantou of L'Église-Clinet. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. More clay here and therefore more stuctural density. Fabulous density, even on nose where there is gloss and ripeness. Palate is not massive but has 'enough'. Very soft feel to the tannins, the volume is sort of 'bouffant', a downy, cotton-wool, cushiony texture. Rich and broad, supple and has lovely pure fruit expression, stops short of being overblown and over-ripe. Lovely structure builds and there is lovely soft tannin that holds this all together really well. Rating: 92+ L&S (Apr 2013)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
The 2012 Les Cruzelles feels slightly stewed on the nose with singed leather and some signs of oxidation. The palate is fleshy and rounded on the entry, but there is a distinct lack of tension, whilst the finish reminds me more of old style Stellenbosch than Saint-Émilion. Drink soon. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. Drinking range: 2022 - 2025 Rating: 86 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2022)
A powerful, explosive wine, the 2012 Les Cruzelles hits the palate with an exotic mélange of pomegranate, blood orange, spice, licorice and menthol. Even with its obvious size and intensity, the 2012 has lovely nuance and plenty of aromatic delineation. The silky finish is pure sensuality. La Chenade is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc taken from parcels planted on clay and gravel in Durantou's Lalande de Pomerol estate. Drinking range: 2018 - 2032 Rating: 91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2016)
The nose is lush ripe fruited with lots of fleshy plum. Rounded tannins and sweet black fruits give a sumptuous fleshy suppleness on the palate lots of bramble jelly. The sweetness is balanced by freshness but the finish is mouth filling and satisfying. 2016-26 Rating: 92-94 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)
(90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc, 50% new oak): Medium ruby. Brooding nose hints at dried black fruits, tobacco and sweet spices. Then sweet and rich on the palate, with healthy acidity enlivening the blackcurrant and mineral flavors. Boasts above-average density for the year. The merlot was harvested between September 21 and October 1, and the cabernet franc on October 6. The merlot is planted in north-south rows at high density (8,000 vines per hectares); according to owner Denis Durantou, this exposure allows him to preserve freshness in the grapes. This is routinely a very good value, and the vines are only eight years old. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2013)
Aromas of chocolate, melted caramel, toffee and black cherry jam emerge from this sexy, full-bodied, lush wine. Consume it over the next 7-8 years. Given what proprietor Denis Durantou accomplished at his flagship estate of l’Eglise Clinet, it is not surprising that his Lalande de Pomerol is another brilliant wine as well as a major sleeper of the vintage. Harvested between September 21 and October 1, the 2012 Les Cruzelles is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 2013 - 2021 Rating: 90-92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)
With its elevation, unusually high percentage of Cabernet Franc (for Lalande de Pomerol) and rich, clay and gravel terroir, Les Cruzelles is a special spot that outperforms its appellation. Dense, serious and sweetly perfumed, this is plump and ripe, but with underlying spice and minerality. The bargain of the vintage. Drink: 2018-30 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, on clay and gravel. Less aromatic on the nose than the Chénade and the oak more evident. A little short of flesh in the middle but it has been made in a way that balances this so it is fresh and not astringent, the dark fruit brought out on the finish, which is longer than La Chénade. 2015 - 2020. Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2013)
Dark fruit nose. Ripe and gourmand on the palate. Supple and approachable. Drink: 2016 - 2020. Rating: 15.5 James Lawther MW, decanter.com (Apr 2013)
Rating: 17 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2013)
A high-toned style, with pure violet, red currant and pomegranate notes, featuring a sleek, iron-tinged finish. Fresh and focused. Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2013)
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those of the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do call us, but see the 'practical notes' below.
Ordering
Prices are per case as listed 'in bond London'.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment from you to buy the wines you order on release, subject to the price being below the upper price of the estimated band on our website. You may also set your own upper price limit, lower or higher than ours. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability. Providing this firm commitment to us effectively gives you priority.
Wines listed on the website (after any pre-orders and allocations have been fulfilled) can be ordered in the usual way via the website order form or by email or telephone 020 7221 1982, always subject to stock remaining.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are contractually binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of the confirmation date, apart from pre-orders which are binding if the release price is below the top estimate or other price you have set.
Invoices are raised at the In Bond price, excluding any duty and VAT which will become payable at the prevailing rates on arrival of the wine if required duty paid.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or credit transfer. We reserve the right to charge 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £1000, orders below this total will be charged £16.50+ VAT when the wine invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery for 2016 Bordeaux primeurs will probably be completed by October 2019, but we make no guarantee as to specific delivery times, and some of the Sauternes may be later.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes) for immediate payment. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option, but do please note that confirmed orders are still binding as above even if the final invoice has not been issued.
When the wine is shipped, unless previously specified we will assume that delivery is to be to bonded storage with Elephant Storage, but in any case, we will contact you requesting any alternative instructions. If you have another bonded delivery address you would like the wine to go to, please tell us at the time of ordering. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue invoices at the rates prevailing at the time for the excise duty (currently £25.98 per case) and the VAT (currently at 20%) on the total of the wine cost and the duty.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the bottle size you want. Even if a wine is only listed in one size, you can order any bottle or case size you want if the property supplies it, but you must order the case/bottle size you require and check that the correct size has been invoiced.
Additional charges are as follows:-
- +£15 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£15 per case of 6 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£35 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£45 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.
