CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES

The 2016 Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou's second estate in Lalande-de-Pomerol, is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked 22-29 September and on 6 October, respectively. The yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare, and it is matured in 50% new oak. It has a very fragrant bouquet with perfumed red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit infused with minerals, like the La Chenade, very harmonious and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, crisp acidity, a little spicier than the La Chenade and perhaps with a touch more persistence on the finish. Cellar space should be made for this sensual and engaging wine, and if prices follow their trend as in previous years, it could be one of the Right Bank's outstanding values. Drinking range: 2020 - 2035 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Picked 22-29 September and 6 October. More clay and 50% new oak. Ripe and round with real racy structure. Lots of energy and a little more tannin than the Chenade. Good stuff! Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 16.5+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)

The juicy, fun raspberry and blackberry fruit has melded nicely with singed anise and fruitcake accents. Polished finish. Rating: 88-91 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2017)

A very finely textured red with cherries, chocolate and berries. Medium body and fine tannins. A beauty. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Lés Cruzelles is a more serious, structured wine than the Chenade. Beams of tannin give the wine its sense of energy and drive. Blue and purplish hued stone fruits, licorice, lavender, menthol and graphite are nicely delineated. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2016 will need a year or two in bottle to be at its best. I was not at all surprised when proprietor Denis Durantou told me he planned to give the 2016 an extra month or two in barrel. The wine will probably need all of that added time in barrel to fully come together. Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Les Cruzelles is sourced from clay soils and tends to be more structured and backward than its stable mate, La Chenade. Firm and slightly gruff in its youth, but with lovely underlying fruit, subtle oak and the texture that it always a feature of Denis Durantou’s wines. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Les Cruzelles has quite a high-toned bouquet compared to the La Chenade, featuring black cherries, lavender, balsamic and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Compared to previous showings, I found this a little angular in style, although with age, it will coalesce. Give this two or three years in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drinking range: 2022 - 2038 Rating: 90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 1899)