2018 CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES Lalande de Pomerol, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES

2022 Lalande de Pomerol

Grapes Cab Franc, Merlot
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol
Village Lalande de Pomerol
ABV 14.5%

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 50% new oak. 14.6% alc. The Merlot was picked between the 1 – 7. September and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 12 September. 16500 bottles were produced. A fantastic plot of Merlot in this vineyard is, apparently, the reason for the extra degree of magic in this wine. Les Cruzelles increases flavour intensity a notch or two over portfolio pals Saintayme and La Chenade with fleshier fruit notes and more amplitude of perfume. The tannins are visible early here, and they hold hands with the plum, mulberry and more exotic tones, keeping them upright and controlled. The oak also supports the fruit by bringing discreet seasoning, a crunch of chypre and warm bark, which adds higher perfume notes and even more allure. The overall experience is sublime. Rating: 17.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2023)


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After the Saintayme the Cruzelles is striking for its ease and immediate charm. Really lovely nose with gently ripe black fruit flesh notes and brightening raspberry too. On the palate this is more open, more expressive, more juicy. A lovely weight, more clearly tells the story of the vintage - but never too much. Chalky, suede-like grip brings it all in neatly. More generous, great impact, cool whiff of fresh mint leaf adds a bright lift to the deeper fruit on the satisfying finish. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Small harvest here in 2022. L&S (Apr 2023)

More clay in the soils here and there is a lovely balance, fleshy in texture and high impact, but with a ton of interest, dark deep chocolate, gunsmoke, aniseed, fennel, black cherry, lovely fresh acidities. Harvest September 1 to 12, 28hl/h, 50% new oak, Noemie Durantou winemaker. Drinking range: 2024 - 2028 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2023)

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Purer and more refined than La Chenade with added complexity and length. Red-fruit aroma. Some sweetness on the mid-palate (oak?) but fresh and crunchy on the finish. (JL) 14.6% Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 16.5 James Lawther MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (May 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.

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