La Chenade 2018

Lalande de Pomerol

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Tasting Notes

he 2018 La Chenade is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc with 30% new oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with notes of tar, licorice and cracked black pepper, leading to a core of baked black plums, boysenberries and blackberry pie, plus a waft of woodsmoke. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of earth-laced blackberry flavors with a frame of ripe, rounded tannins and bags of freshness, finishing savory. This was produced by the late Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet. The vineyard is in Lalande de Pomerol on gravel-based sandy soils.

Score: 90

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022 - 2035 11 July 2021

This is produced by Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet. The vineyard is in Lalande de Pomerol on gravel-based sandy soils. The 2018 La Chenade is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc with 30% new oak. Deep purple-black in color, the nose is slightly reticent and broody, offering notes of tar, chargrill and damp soil to begin, giving way to a core of fresh plums, black cherries and kirsch plus touches of bay leaves and iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and juicy with plenty of bright black fruit and a plush texture, finishing long and refreshing.

Score: 90 - 92

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 23 April 2019

Brought up in 30% new French oak and based on an 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château La Chenade has a classy, beautiful nose of crème de cassis, dried tobacco, lead pencil, and earth. This carries to a vibrant, medium-bodied Lalande de Pomerol with fine yet present tannins, a solid spine of acidity, and a great finish. It's another release from Denis Durantou that's going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and cruise for a decade.

Score: 92

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2023-33 11 March 2021

A pleasing wine with plum, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, nice integration of fine tannins and a savory finish. Try after 2022.

Score: 92

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2022+ 03 March 2021

This is really delicious and fresh with lovely dark berries and purity at the same time. Medium body, fine tannins and a lovely finish.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 11 April 2019

A heady, sumptuous wine, the 2018 La Chenade is so delicious right now. Inky dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice race across the palate. The 2018 is plush, open-knit and ready to give pleasure. There is a lot of substance to La Chenade in 2018, but I would prefer to drink it over the next decade, while the fruit is vibrant.

Score: 92

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2033 01 March 2021

The 2018 La Chenade is another stellar wine in Denis Durantou's lineup. Ripe, racy and exuberant, the 2018 is super-expressive, even in the early going. Succulent red cherry, plum, spice and new leather add layers of nuance. Ultimately, though, La Chenade is a wine of pure and total pleasure more than anything else. Floral notes and a final burst of red-toned fruit add character to this Lalande de Pomerol from sandy, gravelly soils.

Score: 89 - 92

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2019

The 2018 La Chenade is more backward and demands more coaxing than the Lés Cruzelles, reluctantly unfolding to reveal scents of blackberry, melted tar and violet petals, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins, well-judged acidity, gentle grip and a slightly smoother but slightly less engaging finish than the Lés Cruzelles. Still, this is very fine.

Score: 91

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022+ 01 March 2021

This is super fresh and juicy - an easy wine to recommend. It’s full of well-ripened autumnal fruits and is in fact pretty concentrated in terms of flavours – a wine that shows just how fully the grapes ripened on gravel soils in 2018 and yet maintains its floral aromatics and sense of easy elegance. 30% new oak was used. A yield of 40hl/ha.

Score: 92

Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2024-2038 15 April 2019

Shows an herbal note out front, with light cherry and damson plum fruit. Silky finish.

Score: 87 - 90

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2019