Château Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, 2017
Denis Durantou's 'entry level' wines, that is to say the wines not produced at his flagship Pomerol estate, Chateau L'Eglise Clinet always rank amongst our 'best value' buys. Saintayme, Chenade, Cruzelles and Montlandrie offer excellent value for money. Denis is quite rightly very proud of his 2017s, referring to them as a 'rare triplet' (with 2015 and 2016). Les Cruzelles hails from the clay and gravel sites in Lalande de Pomerol and usually has a higher percentage of Merlot in the blend than La Chenade, however, this year the assemblage is exactly the same (80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc). The terroir produces a more muscular and denser style of Lalande. This is quite brooding with an intensely dark fruit character of mulberries and mineral infused cassis. It is impressive and bold, but perhaps lacks some of the charm and elegance of the La Chenade. 40% new oak.
critic reviews
A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc gives Les Cruzelles 2017 a medium to deep garnet color. It bursts with impressive notes of red and black plum preserves, menthol, and rose oil, with hints of black tea and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate has a pleasant chewiness to the texture with delicate black fruit layers and a stewed tea finish.
Super-ripe dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that run through the 2017 Les Cruzelles. Unctuous and flamboyantly ripe, with tons of intensity, the 2017 is another drop-dead gorgeous beauty in this range from Denis Durantou.