Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants

CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES

2020 Lalande de Pomerol

IN STOCK
Grapes Cab Franc, Merlot
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol
Village Lalande de Pomerol
ABV 13.5%

Really tight and refined tannins and focus. It’s really clear. Medium-bodied. One of the best I have had here. Approachable, but so long and structured. Best after 2026. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2023)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The 2020 Les Cruzelles is a serious, potent Lalande de Pomerol that is going to need a few years to soften. I wouldn't think of touching a bottle any time soon. Firm yet well-balanced tannins lend energy and drive. Black cherry, graphite, sage, mint, tobacco and incense add to an impression of virile intensity that gains vigour over time. This is such a gorgeous and inviting wine. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

More power and generosity than La Chenade, a clear difference in the vintage, with beautifully sculpted bitter almond and frangipane, tobacco, liqourice and black cherry. This is a Lalande-de-Pomerol with true character, starts off pretty austere and then widens through the mid palate and delivers creamy blue fruit. 50% new oak, harvest September 10 to 16. 3.72ph, 38hl/ha yield. Noemie Durantou winemaker alongside Olivier Gautrat. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Feb 2023)

The 2020 Les Cruzelles has dispensed with some of its ostentation that I commented upon from barrel. This has become more "serious" with dark cherries, cassis and light violet scents. The menthol element has ebbed away during its time in barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Wonderful purity, sleek and intense with veins of blue fruit towards the very satisfying and silky smooth finish. This has upped its game and represents one of the finest Les Cruzelles in recent years. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

Château les Cruzelles

Among the brightest stars of the exalted Pomerol appellation is Denis Durantou at Château l’Eglise-Clinet. Little more than a kilometre to the north, near enough to see one from t’other, across the Barbanne stream in Lalande-de-Pomerol is Château les Cruzelles, also owned by Denis. The 10ha of vines boast the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc in the area – 40% - with the rest being the more usual Merlot. Aside from Château les Cruzelles proper Denis also produces here La Chenade, a Lalande-de-Pomerol cuvee he made with Cruzelles’ grapes even before he bought the estate in 2000. Denis also owns a small vineyard of 35 year old Merlot vines at Saint Etienne de Lisse at the eastern end of St Emilion that goes under the name of Saintayme. And, a little further south-east, across the boundary in the Côtes de Castillon is Château Montlandrie that Denis bought in 2009. Much renovation has taken place at the 12ha vineyard that includes, almost uniquely for the Right Bank, new plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon that now make up 15% of the vineyard alongside the usual 65% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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