Les Cruzelles 2020

Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Les Cruzelles is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with notes of plum preserves, blueberry pie, and blackberry preserves with suggestions of Chinese five spice and chocolate box. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a sold backbone of firm, grainy tannins with bright acidity and vibrant fruit, finishing with a skip in its step.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.Aromatic nose and palate with lifted red-berry notes. Lively, juicy and smooth, the tannins tempered and fine. Some persistence but a touch dry on the finish. Joyful and balanced but probably for earlier drinking. (JL) 14.5%Drink 2025 – 2032

(80% M, 20% CF; 14.5% ABV; 50% new)A seductive nose of freshly truffle-tinged fruit; rich, lively, moderately tannic; long, warm, ripe, and juicy to taste, the tannin still slightly dry-edged, but with exceptional length. Also very good, this is a slightly more sinewy expression of Lalande de Pomerol, with more gravelly clay in the vineyard, as distinct from the sandy gravel of La Chenade 2026–38+.

The 2020 Les Cruzelles has dispensed with some of its ostentation that I commented upon from barrel. This has become more "serious" with dark cherries, cassis and light violet scents. The menthol element has ebbed away during its time in barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Wonderful purity, sleek and intense with veins of blue fruit towards the very satisfying and silky smooth finish. This has upped its game and represents one of the finest Les Cruzelles in recent years. 2025-2040

The 2020 Les Cruzelles offers plenty of brambly red fruit on the nose, where touches of undergrowth, menthol and cassis unfold with time. Compared to the La Chenade, there is a little more showiness here. The palate is medium-bodied with superb acidity that cuts through the graphite-tinged black fruit. Displaying wonderful focus and energy from start to finish, this is a classy Lalande de Pomerol that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure. Superb. 2024 - 2038

The 2020 Les Cruzelles is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, coming from gravelly clay soil. The Merlot was picked from the 10th to the 15th September, and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 16th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with impactful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and kirsch, plus suggestions of violets, mocha and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with vibrant black fruits and fantastic freshness, framed by ripe, velvety tannins, finishing long and fragrant. 18,000 bottles are expected to be made. Drink 2024-2039.

Stands out from La Chenade in the vintage, with its velvet texture and a more serious sculpted feel overall. Tobacco and liquorice notes besides black cherry and raspberry fruits, good tension, serious but with Lalande-de-Pomerol unfussy appeal. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha.Drinking Window 2023 - 2034