The 2025 Durantou wines - excluding Eglise Clinet - have just been released. Every year these wines show incredibly well from barrel, and this year was no exception. They unequivocally represent some of the best value you can find anywhere in Bordeaux, weaving together the vintage's natural vibrancy and ripeness with their own intensity, depth and drinkability.
La Petite Eglise - the second label of Eglise Clinet - is approachable and spry, a deftly-judged, moreish and drinkable alternative to the grand vin. A plot re-planted in 2017 is included for the first time this year, refining the aromatic quality of the wine. There is a 90-92 rating from Neal Martin ("caressing and harmonious"), a 94 from Jane Anson ("A lovely joyful feeling") and 91-93 points from Antonio Galloni ("it will drink beautifully on release.")
Les Cruzelles is a knockout in 2025 and could clearly compete with wines from more lofty appellations that sell for many times the price. Dense and impressive, our resident MW Thomas Parker scores it 93-95, calling it "a real standout this year."
La Chenade, which offers tremendous value for money, comes from the younger vines of this Lalande de Pomerol property and will be ready to drink from a much earlier stage. 90-92 from Martin ("elegant and harmonious") and 93-94 from James Suckling ("Vivid and flavorful").
We keep saying it, but Montlandrie has become a star of the line-up in recent years, particularly with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon that has turned it to a serious, sleek grand vin since 2023. This 2025 was almost reminiscent of a mini-Figeac with its cool cassis crunch and it remains is smooth and supple with its still dominant Merlot. 91-93 Martin ("there can be few wines from that appellation better than this"), 93-95 Galloni ("The 2025 Montlandrie is exceptional") and 94 Anson ("love the energy"). An outstanding wine.
Saintayme rounds out the offering and is an absolute steal given the winemaking pedigree on show. A juicy, forward wine to be enjoyed young, it has 92 from Anson ("You can easily read the terroir here"), 91-93 from Galloni ("a gorgeous Saint-Émilion") and a whopping 94-95 from Suckling ("Very attractive richness").
The wines are offered en-primeur and will be shipping to the UK in the spring of 2028.
