Tasting Note:
The 'entry level' wines, that is to say the wines not produced at the Durantou flagship Pomerol estate, Chateau L'Eglise Client, always rank amongst our 'best value' buys. Saintayme, Chenade, Cruzelles and Montlandrie offer excellent value for money. Since Denis' death, his long-term collaborator, Olivier Gautrat has stepped up to assist Noémie and Constance. He describes 2021 as "Equilibre", a vintage of perfect balance. Produced from the same estate as La Chenade, but hailing from the more gravelly, clay soils, Les Cruzelles has received rave reviews over the last decade. More brooding and masculine in profile (than Chenade), also more purity. You can feel the additional new oak influence in a positive way. Dark fruited, with a solid core of gravelly cassis, minerals, toast framed by a cool stoniness on the finish. Rather handsome. 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc.