2018 Château Les Cruzelles Lalande-de-Pomerol

Les Cruzelles is an esteemed winery located in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. It is a property of Denis Durantou, the famous winemaker of Château L'Eglise Clinet in Pomerol, known for his ability to produce wines of exceptional quality.

Location and Terroir

Les Cruzelles is located in Néac, one of the villages in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation. The vineyards benefit from a terroir similar to that of nearby Pomerol, with clay and gravel soils ideal for growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These soils contribute to the complexity and structure of the wines.

Vineyard and Grape Varieties

The Les Cruzelles vineyard covers approximately 10 hectares and is mainly planted with Merlot, with a smaller percentage of Cabernet Franc. The vines are on average 40 years old, which contributes to the depth and concentration of the wines.

Making wine

At Les Cruzelles, a lot of attention is paid to both vineyard management and winemaking. The grapes are harvested by hand and strictly selected to use only the best fruit. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by maturation in French oak barrels, a significant portion of which are renewed annually.

Denis Durantou

Denis Durantou, the producer behind Les Cruzelles, was one of the most respected winemakers in Bordeaux. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to quality, which resulted in wines that consistently received high ratings and praise from critics. His legacy lives on in the wines of Les Cruzelles and his other properties.

The 2018 Les Cruzelles is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with 40% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet purple in colour, it emerges energetically from the glass with vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, juicy black cherries and ripe plums, plus hints of menthol, dark chocolate and star anise. The medium to full palate delivers mouth-filling black fruits with a soft texture and plenty of freshness, ending long and lively.