Château Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, 2016
Denis Durantou's 'entry level' wines, that is to say the wines not produced at his flagship Pomerol estate, Chateau L'Eglise Clinet are always rank amongst our 'best value' buys. Saintayme, Chenade, Cruzelles and Montlandrie offer excellent value for money, but the 2016s are perhaps the finest range we have seen to date. Cruzelles hails from the clay dominated plots at Denis' Lalande de Pomerol estate. The blend is a classic 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is quite staggering how different this is to La Chenade. This is brooding and darker with an intense mulberry core interspersed with bright starry berries. This is plush and sexy with a seamlessness to the fruit that is impressive and seductive, however, it lacks the energy and charm of La Chenade. If you like tension and verve take the Chenade, if you like big and impressive, go with the Cruzelles.
critic reviews
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Les Cruzelles continues to drink brilliantly, evoking aromas of plum, prune, violet and dark berries, as well as hints of spices and graphite. On the palate, its medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated with delicate freshness and precise, powdery tannins.
The 2016 Les Cruzelles has quite a high-toned bouquet compared to the La Chenade, featuring black cherries, lavender, balsamic and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Compared to previous showings, I found this a little angular in style, although with age, it will coalesce. Give this two or three years in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.