LA CHENADE
2017 Lalande de Pomerol
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc all in once used barrels. Floral hedgerow fruit and a touch of toast on the nose. More plum on the palate. The fruit is just so fresh and silky and there's a really attractive lick of menthol in there as well. This will be a super early drinker. Rating: 88 L&S (Apr 2018)
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The 2017 La Chenade has blossomed into a truly fabulous wine. Rich, ample and explosive in the glass, the 2017 possesses tremendous density from start to finish. A rush of super-ripe dark red/purplish fruit, spice, rose petal, licorice and menthol builds as this potent, voluptuous Lalande de Pomerol shows off its racy curves and sultry, alluring personality. The 2017 is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I loved it. La Chenade is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Drinking range: 2020 - 2032 Rating: 92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2020)
The 2017 La Chenade was picked from 14 to 22 September for the Merlot and on 18 September for the Cabernet Franc. It has a very well defined, slightly tertiary bouquet with blackberry, sage and light thyme aromas. The palate is soft on the entry with smudged red berry fruit laced with leather and light cedar notes. It does not quite have the ebullience of the 2018 on the finish but it has a lovely spiciness on the aftertaste. Drinking range: 2021 - 2032 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2020)
The 2017 La Chenade comes from gravel soils in Lalande de Pomerol, picked 8 to 22 September for the Merlot and on 18 September for the Cabernet Franc, that is aged in used oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet, a little more black fruit than red, just a touch of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin, a pinch of black pepper and spice, a little short but nicely balanced with a pretty, earthy finish. It is not the greatest La Chenade that I have tasted in recent years, yet given the frost damage it should be considered a success. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 La Chenade is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and has quite an earthy nose giving notes of truffles, mossy bark and tilled soil over a core of red and black plums and a waft of incense. Medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with refreshing red and black fruits supported by chewy tannins and finishes with an invigorating lift. Rating: 88-90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2018)
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple crimson. Smells of small, wild hedgerow berries and raspberry vitality. Second-fill barrels and just a hint of chocolate. Lovely freshness and that fine graphite note on the finish. Refined texture, just a little chewy for now, and lots of fruit and a persistent finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 16.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)
Offers a slightly tangy pomegranate and damson plum core, with high-pitched floral and rooibos tea notes. A savory echo emerges on the finish. Rating: 86-89 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)
A firm and silky wine with berry and cherry character. Medium body, light tannins and a clean finish. Rating: 87-88 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
From Denis Durantou, the second wine of Château les Cruzelles is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, picked between the 14th and the 22nd of September for the Merlot, the Cabernet Franc on September 18th. The élevage will be entirely in second-fill barrels. I get sweet, concentrated, intense red and floral fruit on the nose, showing a lightly desiccated concentration, with a gravelly floral freshness. The fruit on the palate shows lovely red cherry, redcurrant and smoky barrel richness, with notes of praline, smoke and tobacco, and it is touched with a little pomegranate too. Fresh, bright and pure, with fine tannins. This should drink well in a few years time. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)
La Chenade
One of the brightest stars of Pomerol is undoubtedly Denis Durantou of the highly acclaimed Château l’Eglise-Clinet. Thankfully this glory is not enough for Denis and he also has a smaller estate in the less esteemed Lalande de Pomerol. Here Denis' skill and experience can produce magnificent wines that are a fraction of the price. The property is Château les Cruzelles, where he makes both Les Cruzelles but also La Chenade, another Lalande-de-Pomerol cuvée from the younger vines. He was even making this with Cruzelles’ grapes before he bought the estate in 2000. We champion this wine every year on primeur as it represents such consistently good value for money. Beautiful Bordeaux wine at an incredibly fair price - a rare gem.