Les Cruzelles 2016

Lalande de Pomerol

Excel download

View All Vintages of this Wine

Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2038 01 August 2020

The 2016 Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou’s other Lalande de Pomerol after La Chenade, was bottled around the same time, at the end of May 2018. It has a slightly more savory bouquet than the La Chenade, featuring scents of black cherry and lavender plus light notes of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grippy tannin. There is a symmetry and tension about this Les Cruzelles that I love. It’s a tad closed at the moment, but it will open in its own time. "Give it a chance to mellow," says Durantou. Sage advice.

Score: 92

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2038 01 January 2019

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.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2035 28 April 2017

The 2016 Les Cruzelles is every bit as captivating from bottle as it was from barrel. Dense, pliant and inviting, the 2016 has so much to offer. Black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice, new leather and lavender all run through this super-expressive, pliant Lalande de Pomerol from Denis Durantou. The 2016 offers a striking combination of fruit intensity and structure. I loved it.

Score: 93

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2031 01 January 2019

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.

Score: 90 - 93

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2017

The medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Les Cruzelles gives up notes of raspberry preserves and chocolate-covered cherries with touches of unsmoked cigars and tilled soil. Medium-bodied and softly textured, the palate delivers loads of red and black fruits with a velvety texture and lively finish.

Score: 92

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2033 30 November 2018

Lovely and round, with an easy texture. Inviting fruit and freshness. Really good!

Score: 90 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 19 April 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! GV (16.5+ Points)

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2030 12 April 2017

The juicy, fun raspberry and blackberry fruit has melded nicely with singed anise and fruitcake accents. Polished finish.

Score: 88 - 91

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10 April 2017

A very finely textured red with cherries, chocolate and berries. Medium body and fine tannins. A beauty.

Score: 91 - 92

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 04 April 2017