Château Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019
2019 turned out to be Denis Durantou’s swansong. He was a remarkably talented man, who always captured the vintage and at times mastered it. His 2013s are a case in point – few vignerons could reach those heights in such a drab year. His 2019s will be his last creations, his farewell gifts to the world. These are generous, beautifully textured wines, full of energy and vim. Produced from exactly the same blend as La Chenade, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, however, this is stylistically very different. The bouquet is a heady mix of black fruit and minerals. It’s quite intoxicating, there’s a flamboyant melting pot of ferrous minerals, molten graphite, chocolate box and gravelly, smoky cassis. On the palate, the fruit is pure, refined and beautifully textured. As ever, this punches well above its weight. The core is powerful and broad, there’s lots of material here and it’s all expertly wrapped in fruit-soaked tannins that give direction and focus. An excellent Cruzelles.
critic reviews
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Les Cruzelles is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It features fragrant notions of dried flowers, underbrush, and spice cake over a core of kirsch and dried mulberries. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and restrained, with lovely freshness and a whisper of earthiness on the finish.
The 2019 Les Cruzelles is showing very well today with aromas of spices, flowers, dark berries and delicate hints of rose petals. This juicy wine is seamless and layered with powdery tannins and a fleshy texture, typical of Lalande-de-Pomerol. This wine possesses more race and depth than the 2016 La Chenade. It will offer a broad drinking window.
The 2019 Les Cruzelles comes across rather muted on the nose at the moment, pretty red fruit laced with truffle and black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a pastille-like entry, gentle grip, becoming ever spicier in the mouth with a healthy dose of white pepper and sage towards the finish. Moderate length - this is a Pomerol that grows on you. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Lots of smoked grilled herb and black fruit notes here, this has the same reduction as La Chenade, but it's gorgeous, with an espresso edge and a ton of liquorice bud. Lots of fresh acidities, carefully placed, tiptoeing through the palate. The 2018 is a more exuberant Les Cruzelles, but this is a serious wine, with real character and life ahead. 40% new oak.