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Les Cruzelles 2011

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Lalande Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Vignobles Denis Durantou

Label

Tasting Notes

The Lalande de Pomerol base of top-flight winemaker Denis Durantou, the 2011 Les Cruzelles is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. A gorgeously complex, seductive effort, it possesses a dark cherry/plum color, expressive, fragrant notes of cedarwood, Asian spices, black cherry jam and caramel. This medium-bodied, flavorful, seductive sleeper of the vintage will have few detractors. Drink this beauty over the next 5-6 years.

89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), May 2014

This 11 hectare property in Lalande de Pomerol is situated 1 km from the famous plateau of Pomerol, and is visible from the back door of Eglise Clinet. The Château was purchased in 2000 by Denis Durantou who ages the crop in 50% new oak and relegates fruit from the younger vines to his La Chenade label. Often better than many Pomerols and Saint Emilions that we taste, yet moderately priced thanks to the appellation. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are selected from the best terroirs of the vineyard - clay soils similar to those on the plateau of Pomerol. A wine that always reminds us of a top Pomerol. 1300 cases will be produced. This has a lovely, sexy nose. There is gorgeous ripe black fruit on the palate, which is long, sweet, but refined. Complex notes of vanilla, cocoa, cherry and spice. This is long and profound - the quality of a top Pomerol. Amazingly good.

92
Farr Vintners, March 2012

This builds on that palate with pretty blueberry and chocolate character. Medium to full body. Fine tannins. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. New addition of Cabernet Franc.

89/90
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012

The Cruzelles is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between the 5th and 12th September and 19th September respectively. It is being aged in 50% new oak. It has a fresh, sorbet-like bouquet with pure mineral-rich dark red fruit that maintains impressive linearity. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, charcoal tinged entry. It has very well integrated oak, the finish very clean and precise with that focus and linearity never wavering from start 'til finish. Very fine, though it will need 3-4 years in bottle. Tasted April 2012.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

The black fruits on the nose feel ripe filling it out and giving a rich start to the palate. The sweetness on the mid palate is underpinned by firm but ripe tannins giving structure but not overpowering the fruit. The finish is quite chunky with lots of black cherry.

89/91
Derek Smedley MW, April 2012

A wine that isn't afraid to look to the long term, this is a blend that will develop in bottle. Lovely oak integration, a touch of ginger spice on the nose and firm, yet well-integrated tannins complemented by dense blackberry and tangerine fruit. A very classy wine that is liked to be offered at a price that most of us can afford. 10+ years.

94
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.