La Chenade, 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. Produced from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from gravel sites, this is a thoroughly engaging Chenade brimming with raspberry, strawberry and Victoria plum infused with fine herbs and gravelly minerals. This is sleek, generous and seductive with a mouth-watering freshness that really engages the taster and brings tension and verve. Splendid.