Wijnen

Waarom is Les Cruzelles 2017 zo heerlijk? De klei in de bodem natuurlijk en de kwaliteit van de tannine uiteindelijk. Het is “La tentation de Saint Antoine” in full swing. Louboutin zou de diep tobijnrode kleur gorgeous vinden. Rijpe tannine tapisseert de mond met licht getoaste en sappige braambessen en cassis. Die zilte sappigheid in de milieu de bouche smaakt naar méér. Fumé eiktoetsen verfijnen de tannine en de zijdezachte textuur strekt zich uit tot in de finale. "Denis, Denis…" zingen we.
80% Merlot en 20% Cabernet Franc. De Merlot werd binnengehaald tussen 13 en 22 september en na een élevage op 40% nieuwe eik, mogen we 17.600 flessen verwachten.

IN DE PERS

89 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Februari 2020)
The 2017 Les Cruzelles was picked 13 to 22 September for the Merlot and on 22 September for the Cabernet Franc, matured in 70% new oak. It has a more tertiary, earthy bouquet compared to the 2018 with faint touches of brown spice infusing the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, black fruit tinged with liquorice leading to gentle grip on the finish. Excellent, though the 2018 has greater long-term potential. Drink 2020-207.

90-92 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
The 2017 Lés Cruzelles comes from clay soils, the Merlot picked from 13 to 22 September, the Cabernet Franc on 22 September, matured in 40% new oak. I found that this has a little more cohesion and focus than the La Chenade at this early stage, blackberry mixed with raspberry and loamy scents, fresh and full of vim. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. This is very nicely focused with crisp acidity, saline and persistent on the finish. Excellent – this is as good a Lalande de Pomerol as you will find in 2017.

90-93 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
The 2017 Les Cruzelles is another fabulous Lalande de Pomerol from Denis Durantou. Gravel, smoke, cured meats, blueberry jam and incense give the Cruzelles much of its dark, brooding personality. Next to La Chenade, Les Cruzelles is darker, more tannic and offers greater structural intensity.

91 Jane Anson – decanter.com (April 2018)
This has plenty of distinct strands of flavour – some real stuffing to the rich red fruits, persistent tannins infused with freshness. The Merlot was picked 13 to 22 September and Cabernet Franc on 22 September. From gravel and clay soils with a little sand. An excellent choice in Lalande-de-Pomerol, from the skilled hands of Denis Durantou. Drinking Window 2023 - 2036

88 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (Maart 2020)
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Les Cruzelles offers a pronounced savory nose of smoked meats, sautéed herbs and Indian spices with a core of warm plums and boysenberries plus a waft of truffles. Medium-bodied, the palate has loads of vibrant black fruits with a slight chewiness to the texture and herb-laced finish. Drink 2020-2030.

89-91 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (April 2018)
Blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Les Cruzelles opens with crushed blackcurrants and blackberry compote notions with underlying menthol, pencil lead, anise and tobacco notes plus a waft of black pepper. Medium-bodied and quite minerally in the mouth, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with persistent earthy nuances.

90-91 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2018)
This shows a pretty center palate of dark fruit and hints of salt. Medium-bodied, firm and silky.

16/20 Julia Harding MW – jancisrobinson.com (April 2018)
Very dark core, almost black. Definite sweetness of oak on the nose but also dark and savoury, lightly charry note. Juicy and very fresh on the palate, more scented on the palate and the tannins more supple than on La Chenade at the moment. Juicy, fresh finish, needs the oak to die back a bit. Drink 2022-2027.

92 Jean-Marc Quarin – quarin.fr (April 2018)

87-90 James Molesworth – winespectator.com (Maart 2018)

Les Cruzelles

Les Cruzelles ligt op 1 km van het befaamde plateau van Pomerol, in de appellatie Lalande de Pomerol. Je ziet de wijngaard al van aan de achterdeur van l’Eglise Clinet. De eigenaar van deze mythische Pomerol, Denis Durantou, kocht deze wijngaard in 2000 herplantte hem naar zijn veeleisende verlangens. Les Cruzelles is steeds een sappige Pomerol-lookalike, ook al zorgt de bescheidener herkomst voor lagere prijzen. Deze hoge kwaliteit en lage prijs maakt hem tot een kleine l’Eglise Clinet voor beginners... Een grote aanrader dus!

100% Merlot in 50% nieuwe eik. Met de jongste wijnstokken maakt hij La Chenade.

Durantou