CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES

Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou's Lalande de Pomerol, is once again impressive in 2015. There is notable volume and unctuousness to the super-ripe red cherry, espresso and mocha flavors. The 2015 needs another year or two to come together, but it is super-impressive. Les Cruzelles is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from gravelly soils. The 2015 spent one year in French oak, 45% new. Drinking range: 2019 - 2030 Rating: 92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2018)

This fills your mouth and gives a frisson of excitement, a little electric charge. There is so much depth and joy to the rich black fruits, with striking precision. It's complex, mouth filling and there’s clear influence from the 45% new oak, but it is integrated well, giving the palate a gourmet edge. This wine encapsulates the full scope of Château Les Cruzelles, as it's the first vintage made with 3.5ha of vines that were replanted in 2004, after three years lying fallow, bringing the estate to 9.5ha in total. Drinking range: 2020 - 2032 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (Jan 2018)

Grown on a mixture of gravel and clay soils, this is often one of the bargains of the vintage. This is leafy, floral and complex with plummy plushness, fine tannins and deftly integrated oak. Very easy to drink. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2016)

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 45% new oak. Crimson. Scented and compact nose. Savoury and supple. Very fine for a Lalande-de-Pomerol. Maybe flattering because it went into barrel before Chenade. GV? Drinking range: 2020 - 2026 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2016)

Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc from clay-gravel soils. As consistent as ever this year. Spicy, dark fruit nose which continues on the palate. Super grain of tannin and mid-palate depth. Length and freshness on the finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 90 James Lawther MW, decanter.com (Apr 2016)

The 2015 Lés Cruzelles is terrific. Bright, focused and also generous in the glass, the 2015 balances aromatic intensity with textural richness. Dark red cherry, violet, lavender, mint and wild flowers are all beautifully delineated throughout. There is a sense of energy here that is impossible to miss, while the finish is equally memorable. Lés Cruzelles is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc planted on gravel/clay soils. Rating: 89-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2016)

This is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, harvested from September 15th to the 22nd in the case of the former, October 6th in the case of the latter. Yield 45 hl/ha. Dark, perfumed, plainly more minerally edges to the nose here then seen with La Chenade, a more interesting character overall. The palate is polished, very fresh, with perfumed aromatic fruit brushed with notes of toasted grape pips, grilled almonds and more. Very pure, the middle framed by very ripe tannins, still firm, energetic and spicy though. Really confident. An impressive wine for the appellation, and certain to be great value. Rating: 16-17/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2016)

Silky and caressing in feel, with gentle rooibos tea, blood orange and raspberry notes that move gracefully, gaining depth through the finish. Rating: 90—93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2016)

This is so on it with velvety tannins and rich fruit. So much fun to taste. Generous and exotic. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2016)