Château Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol 2021

This stunning property sits a mere kilometre from the plateau of Pomerol and can be seen from the back door of Château l'Eglise Clinet, the mighty site that the Durantou family own. 

This is made on the same limestone soil from a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, making it a stunning copy of a Pomerol with massive quality at an eye-popping price.

The Château has 11 hectares and was bought by the family in 2000. Les Cruzelles is often better than many Pomerols and Saint Emilion Grand Crus, yet significantly better value on account of the slightly less-fashionable appellation, and the admirable commitment of the Durantou family to retain affordable prices. This is made as though it were L'Eglise Clinet - it is the best selection of the grapes, grown on the best parcels of Pomerol-like clay terroirs.

It is, along with Roc de Cambes, the best wine from a satellite appellation.

This is very good wine.

93 Points, Jane Anson

"Deep ruby colour with aromatic depths. Toasted oak, liqourice root, peach pit, tobacco, cocoa bean, blueberry. Delicate, well structured, fingers of peony on the finish, still with the reserve of the vintage that means the texture is less fleshy than in recent vintages of this wine. One to look out for, no need to wait too long, one of the few that I feel has improved over ageing. 50% new oak."

94 Points, Thomas Parker MW

"The 2021 has a high percentage of Cabernet Franc, representing 35% of the blend, with the remainder Merlot. Harvested between 23rd and 30th September, 1,750 cases will be produced at 13.5% abv, with the wine matured in 50% new French oak. This is extremely impressive for the vintage. Deep ruby colour, with superb purity on the nose of dark cherry, red plum and summer pudding. The palate has the flesh of Merlot but the deep graphite intensity of Cabernet Franc. Very fine and lightly smoky, there is a drive of refreshing acidity and plentiful chalky tannin but intense fruit at the core. This offers a red/black fusion of fruit and is already multi-layered. The higher level of Cabernet Franc adds savour, depth, and structure. Very long on the finish, with a flourish of pencil shavings, forest fruit and toasted spices, this is an excellent Cruzelles that will offer superb value for money."

Set up by the highly-celebrated, late and great Denis Durantou from Château l'Eglise Clinet in Pomerol, this is a wine that is the result of a massive amount of research for the best possible sites in Bordeaux. 

We've known and worked with the Durantou estates for 12 of their 20 vintages and love selling the wines as faux-Pomerol or ersatz-Saint Emilion Grand Cru, over-delivering at excellent prices.