Les Cruzelles 2018

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc; 40% new oak. Barrel sample. Black core with purple rim. Much fresher and more aromatic than the Chenade. Juicier and more supple to begin, with lively freshness, but the tannins are powerful and compact and it’s a bit tough on the finish. (JH) 14.5%Drink 2025-2030

From the team of Denis Durantou, notes of cassis, violets, tobacco, and earth all emerge from the 2018 Château Les Cruzelles, which is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new barrels. It's medium to full-bodied, elegant, and weightless on the palate, with loads to love. I also suspect it will represent a stunning value for true wine lovers (and drinkers) out there.

(80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc) | 40% new oak | 14.5% alc | The Merlot was picked between the 18th and 25th September and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 28th September | 31500 bottles were produced With ‘sweeter’ fruit notes on the nose than both Saintem and La Chenade, this is initially a more flattering wine, but the tannins swoop in and there is a very dry finish here which shows smokiness and tobacco tones, making this an exotic wine. It will need a decade, but I anticipate a complete and complex wine in time. 17++

The 2018 Les Cruzelles comes from gravelly-clayey soil, the Merlot picked September 18-25 and the Cabernet Franc on September 28, and is raised in 40% new oak. It has a more opulent, higher-toned bouquet compared to the La Chenade, offering expressive blueberry and black currant fruit and becoming more floral in the glass as iris and violet emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins that provide real weight and concentration to this outstanding Lalande de Pomerol. There is wonderful weight and elegance and impressive delineation toward the persistent, spicy finish. Please tell me you bought this wine when it was released earlier this year! Drinbk 2022-2040.

This is a firm and lightly chewy young wine with dark berries and blueberries and wet earth. Stony undertone. Full to medium body. Linear finish.

This is produced by Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet. The 2018 Les Cruzelles is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc with 40% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it features slightly reduced notions of asphalt and tires over a core of warm red and black plums, blackberry pie and boysenberries with hints of fruitcake, incense and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and packed with perfumed black fruit, it has a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long.