En Primeur News : Friday, 23rd April 2010

Denis Durantou is a genius, clearly one of the greatest wine-makers of Bordeaux's right bank. Along with Ausone, his Eglise Clinet is the only recipient of 100 points from Robert Parker in the 2005 vintage and it is regularly in the top 10 wines of the vintage at the annual Southwold tasting and Farr Vintners' own blind tastings. Denis also makes 4 wines outside Pomerol although Les Cruzelles is so close to L'Eglise Clinet that you can see it from the back door of the chai.

In Lalande de Pomerol, Les Cruzelles is the top wine of the appellation in our opinion and his La Chenade is a popular, up-front and forward style wine made from the younger vines. His Saintayme is a beautiful, red fruit infused Saint Emilion and this year he launches his new Castillon Chateau - Montlandrie. They all represent terrific value for money and if you were thinking of buy any sub £200 per case wines in 2009 these are the ones to go for. We cannot recommend them highly enough and they have excellent reviews from the critics.

"I love the dark fruits in this, with loads of black olive and red fruits too. Full-bodied, but so refined and delicious already. Lovely length. 100 percent Merlot. 90-93 points." James Suckling, Wine Spectator.

"This pure Merlot from Denis Durantou has a very pure, ripe nose with very fine definition, luscious red-berried fruit mixed with a touch of black plum and cassis, a hint of vanilla just in the background. Very smooth on the entry, finely balanced yet powerful, just a hint of white pepper towards the rounded, grainy, yet taut finish with good length. Excellent. 89-91 points." Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

"It feels rich with both nose and palate packed out with black plum and cherry. The mid tannins are quite firm and these combined with some red fruits lighten and brighten the finish. 89-92 points." Derek Smedley MW

"..a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this has a ripe, quite rounded nose with red-berried fruit, a hint of apricot and mulberry with moderate definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, sturdy tannins, great depth of flavour with blackberry, cassis, a touch of spice and in the background a hint of something more exotic: yellow plum and apricot. Mouth-filling, quite extroverted towards the finish. Very fine. 90-92 points." Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

"Blueberry and loads of darks fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Juicy finish. 90-93 points." James Suckling, Wine Spectator

"This shows wonderful aromas of blackberry with hints of flowers. Full bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. 75 percent Merlot and 25 percent Cabernet Franc. A new wine from the owner of L'église Clinet, who recently bought the 36-acre vineyard. 91-94 points" James Suckling Wine Spectator.

"A new property owned by Denis Durantou of Ch Eglise Clinet. Lots of Cabernet Franc on clay. First vintage, bought March 2009. You can see Troplong Mondot from the property. Very rich and thick and opulent. Thick and dry and dense. Lots of tannins and very ambitious. Outstanding for the appellation." 16.5+ Jancis Robinson (she rates it higher than Troplong Mondot)