Chateau Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol, Complete Guide

Denis Durantou 2013

Learn everything about Chateau Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Les Cruzelles History, Overview

Chateau Les Cruzelles in Lalande de Pomerol is owned by Denis Durantou. Denis Durantou who purchased Chateau Les Cruzelles in 2000, is better known for owning one of the top estates in Pomerol, Chateau LEglise Clinet.

Located in the commune of Neac, not far from his Pomerol estate, the terroir of Chateau Les Cruzelles shares many similarities in terroir with his Pomerol chateau, due to its rich, clay and gravel soil.

However, the soils for Les Cruzelles have more gravel with less clay than you will encounter at Chateau L’Eglise Clinet. More importantly, the terroir of Les Cruzelles was exactly what Denis Durantou was hoping to find in this region as this allowed Denis Durantou to expand his massal selection program.

The Lalande de Pomerol vineyards are only about 1 kilometer from Chateau L’Eglise Clinet. In fact, you can actually see the vineyard of Les Cruzelles from Chateau L’Eglise Clinet, if Denis shows you where to look.

Chateau Les Cruzelles Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 10.5-hectare vineyard of Chateau Les Cruzelles is planted to 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. This could be the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc in the appellation of Lalande de Pomerol.

The terroir has clay and gravel soil. The majority of the blend for the wine of Chateau Les Cruzelles is usually taken up by Merlot. The vineyard is situated almost exactly in between Neac and Lalande de Pomerol.

Recent vintages have seen as much as 80% to 90% of blend come from Merlot, with the Cabernet Franc ranging from 10% to 20%. For the vinification of Chateau Les Cruzelles, the wine is fermented in tanks. The wine is then aged in 50%, new, French oak barrels before bottling.

There is a second wine, Chateau La Chenade. The grapes for La Chenade come from a combination of the estate’s young vines and the vines planted in the terroir with more sand and gravel, as well as from purchased fruit.

La Chenade also includes more Cabernet Franc in the blend to give it more structure. La Chenade is aged in an average of 25% new, French oak barrels. On average, the production of Chateau Les Cruzelles is close to 1,200 cases of wine per vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Les Cruzelles are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Les Cruzelles, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Chenade is better with at least 2-4 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour if desired.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau La Chenade offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Les Cruzelles with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Les Cruzelles is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Les Cruzelles is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Les Cruzelles is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Denis Durantou also owns other property in the Right Bank including, Chateau Saintayme in St. Emilion and Chateau Montlandrie, located in the Cotes de Castillon appellation.

www.eglise-clinet.com

Château les Cruzelles Wine Tasting Notes

29 Vintages 111,804 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
93
Flowers, plums, cocoa, and black cherries show easily in the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with energy, refinement, layers of sweet, cocoa-infused plums. The finish is creamy, vibrant, and fruity. You can enjoy this Pomerol look-alike on release if you prefer creamy, youthful fruits, or age it for its secondary characteristics. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2038. 92-94 Pts.

Flowers, plums, cocoa, and black cherries show easily in the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with energy, refinement, layers of sweet, cocoa-infused plums. The finish is creamy, vibrant, and fruity. You can enjoy this Pomerol look-alike on release if you prefer creamy, youthful fruits, or age it for its secondary characteristics. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2038. 92-94 Pts.

926 Views   Tasted
2023
91
Sweet cherries, flowers, and chocolate show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, elegant, silky, and fresh. The fruit is sweet, ripe, and pure, with vibrance, and a touch of cocoa in the finish. Produced from 100% Merlot, 14.3% ABV. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts.

Sweet cherries, flowers, and chocolate show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, elegant, silky, and fresh. The fruit is sweet, ripe, and pure, with vibrance, and a touch of cocoa in the finish. Produced from 100% Merlot, 14.3% ABV. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts.

1,939 Views   Tasted
2022
93
Lush, soft, and creamy, the wine shows its layers of chocolately plums, black cherries, smoke, espresso, and licorice with ease. Fresh and silky are the words of the day here for what you enjoy on the medium-bodied, supple-textured palate, and in the finish. You can enjoy this Pomerol look-alike on release if you prefer its creamy, youthful fruits, or age it for its secondary characteristics. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 Pts.

Lush, soft, and creamy, the wine shows its layers of chocolately plums, black cherries, smoke, espresso, and licorice with ease. Fresh and silky are the words of the day here for what you enjoy on the medium-bodied, supple-textured palate, and in the finish. You can enjoy this Pomerol look-alike on release if you prefer its creamy, youthful fruits, or age it for its secondary characteristics. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 Pts.

2,874 Views   Tasted
2022
91
Black plums, flowers, and cherries with a splash of cocoa create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, and fresh, with a juiciness to the fruits, and lift in the finish. Produced from 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.14.4% ABV, pH 3.7. Drink from 2025-2036. 90-92 Pts.

Black plums, flowers, and cherries with a splash of cocoa create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, and fresh, with a juiciness to the fruits, and lift in the finish. Produced from 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.14.4% ABV, pH 3.7. Drink from 2025-2036. 90-92 Pts.

2,990 Views   Tasted
2021
93
Flowers, plums, black raspberries and mint leaf crowd into the nose. And the palate is even better with its soft, silky, vibrant and fresh core of black cherries and plums and that blast of dark chocolate that comes in at the end of the finish. Clearly the wine of the appellation this year, it is an amazing success for the vintage. Drink from 2024-2037.

Flowers, plums, black raspberries and mint leaf crowd into the nose. And the palate is even better with its soft, silky, vibrant and fresh core of black cherries and plums and that blast of dark chocolate that comes in at the end of the finish. Clearly the wine of the appellation this year, it is an amazing success for the vintage. Drink from 2024-2037.

619 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe, vibrant plums with a dash of chocolate mint on the nose and on the bright, crisp, soft-textured, chalky palate. The wine is a blend of 65% Merlot with 35% Cabernet Franc. The high portion of Cab Franc really works with the 2021 vintage. 13.5% ABV. Picking took place September 23-September 30. Drink from 2024-2037. 90-92

Medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe, vibrant plums with a dash of chocolate mint on the nose and on the bright, crisp, soft-textured, chalky palate. The wine is a blend of 65% Merlot with 35% Cabernet Franc. The high portion of Cab Franc really works with the 2021 vintage. 13.5% ABV. Picking took place September 23-September 30. Drink from 2024-2037. 90-92

2,319 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Flowers and plums with hint of cocoa show with no effort in the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky vibrant and fresh. There is sweetness to the berries and an inviting texture on the palate. Produced from 100% Merlot, it is hard to believe this is a second wine in 2021. Drink from 2024-2032.

Flowers and plums with hint of cocoa show with no effort in the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky vibrant and fresh. There is sweetness to the berries and an inviting texture on the palate. Produced from 100% Merlot, it is hard to believe this is a second wine in 2021. Drink from 2024-2032.

856 Views   Tasted
Cocoa topped plums with flowers on the nose are perfect to form the backdrop for all the medium-bodied, soft-textured, forward, sweet, juicy, red pit fruits on the palate. Produced from 100% Merlot, 13.5% ABV, drink from 2023-2034. 88-90

Cocoa topped plums with flowers on the nose are perfect to form the backdrop for all the medium-bodied, soft-textured, forward, sweet, juicy, red pit fruits on the palate. Produced from 100% Merlot, 13.5% ABV, drink from 2023-2034. 88-90

1,723 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Flowers, chocolate, smoke, licorice and plummy nuances are all over the place here. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, silky, fresh, and most importantly, there is a beautiful sense of purity to the red pit fruits in the elegant, supple, chocolately finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

Flowers, chocolate, smoke, licorice and plummy nuances are all over the place here. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, silky, fresh, and most importantly, there is a beautiful sense of purity to the red pit fruits in the elegant, supple, chocolately finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

2,619 Views   Tasted
Dark ruby in color, the wine quickly expresses its plum, wet earth, chocolate, spice and licorice character. Lush, supple, fresh and loaded with opulent, sweet, dark red fruits, this silky, sensual wine offers length and lift. 92-94 Pts

Dark ruby in color, the wine quickly expresses its plum, wet earth, chocolate, spice and licorice character. Lush, supple, fresh and loaded with opulent, sweet, dark red fruits, this silky, sensual wine offers length and lift. 92-94 Pts

4,151 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Earthy cherries, and cocoa create the nose. Forward, medium-bodied, fresh and supple with a core of sweet, vibrant, red, pit fruits in the finish, this is a top value from an ever increasingly expensive appellation. Drink from 2023-2032.

Earthy cherries, and cocoa create the nose. Forward, medium-bodied, fresh and supple with a core of sweet, vibrant, red, pit fruits in the finish, this is a top value from an ever increasingly expensive appellation. Drink from 2023-2032.

2,002 Views   Tasted
Flowers, cocoa and red fruits create the backdrop for this medium-bodied, fresh, lush, forward, already accessible charmer. The wine finishes with sweet, soft, earthy red fruits. You can enjoy this just about on release and for at least a decade after that. 89-91 Pts

Flowers, cocoa and red fruits create the backdrop for this medium-bodied, fresh, lush, forward, already accessible charmer. The wine finishes with sweet, soft, earthy red fruits. You can enjoy this just about on release and for at least a decade after that. 89-91 Pts

2,175 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Flowers, licorice, cocoa and earthy notes, along with black raspberries, plums and black cherries come through easily on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is soft, silky, refined and fresh, with loads of layered sweet fruit on the backend. Drink from 2023-2037.

Flowers, licorice, cocoa and earthy notes, along with black raspberries, plums and black cherries come through easily on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is soft, silky, refined and fresh, with loads of layered sweet fruit on the backend. Drink from 2023-2037.

3,404 Views   Tasted
Flowers, black raspberries, earthy cherries and nutty chocolate notes are in the nose. The palate, is filled with lusciously textured, sweet, ripe black plums and cocoa. The silky finish feels great. Produced from a blend of 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this could be the top wine produced from Les Cruzelles, a vineyard the late owner, Denis Durantou loved. 91-93 Pts

Flowers, black raspberries, earthy cherries and nutty chocolate notes are in the nose. The palate, is filled with lusciously textured, sweet, ripe black plums and cocoa. The silky finish feels great. Produced from a blend of 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this could be the top wine produced from Les Cruzelles, a vineyard the late owner, Denis Durantou loved. 91-93 Pts

5,194 Views   Tasted
2019
90
Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, the wine is all about its sweet, ripe, silky, red cherries, plums and cocoa. Forward and refined, the wine is already just great in the glass, with a touch of cocoa and mint on the back end in the finish. Drink from 2022-2029.

Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, the wine is all about its sweet, ripe, silky, red cherries, plums and cocoa. Forward and refined, the wine is already just great in the glass, with a touch of cocoa and mint on the back end in the finish. Drink from 2022-2029.

2,119 Views   Tasted
A mix of flowers and chocolate on the nose opens the wine. From there, the medium-bodied, soft, ripe, lush fruits and the silky finish with its sweet berries and cocoa hit the spot. You can enjoy this just about on release for its textures and fruit-forward approach. 88-90 Pts

A mix of flowers and chocolate on the nose opens the wine. From there, the medium-bodied, soft, ripe, lush fruits and the silky finish with its sweet berries and cocoa hit the spot. You can enjoy this just about on release for its textures and fruit-forward approach. 88-90 Pts

4,598 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Flowers, licorice, dusty chocolate and sweet, silky plums are all over the place. Elegant, refined, fresh and vibrant, the silky finish is just great. You can enjoy this on release or age it for a few years for more complexity.

Flowers, licorice, dusty chocolate and sweet, silky plums are all over the place. Elegant, refined, fresh and vibrant, the silky finish is just great. You can enjoy this on release or age it for a few years for more complexity.

2,274 Views   Tasted
Earthy, forest aromas with leaf, mint, and cherries from start to finish, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky and perfect for early drinking, with its fresh, sweet, red plum attributes. 90-92 Pts

Earthy, forest aromas with leaf, mint, and cherries from start to finish, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky and perfect for early drinking, with its fresh, sweet, red plum attributes. 90-92 Pts

3,640 Views   Tasted
2018
89
Plums and cocoa form the core of this medium-bodied, soft, silky, sweet, fresh, early drinking charmer. You can enjoy this on release for its refined textures and fresh fruits.

Plums and cocoa form the core of this medium-bodied, soft, silky, sweet, fresh, early drinking charmer. You can enjoy this on release for its refined textures and fresh fruits.

2,805 Views   Tasted
The forward, plum and floral wine is medium-bodied, round, soft and already delicious. You can enjoy this on release. 87-89 Pts

The forward, plum and floral wine is medium-bodied, round, soft and already delicious. You can enjoy this on release. 87-89 Pts

3,227 Views   Tasted
2017
90
Soft, silky, juicy plums create a forward styled Romeo with earthy, dark red fruits and back notes of licorice. To be enjoyed on release, the wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Soft, silky, juicy plums create a forward styled Romeo with earthy, dark red fruits and back notes of licorice. To be enjoyed on release, the wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

2,558 Views   Tasted
2017
87
Medium bodied and forward, this wine is soft, sweet and quite likable.

Medium bodied and forward, this wine is soft, sweet and quite likable.

2,421 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Using 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this wine shows a rich, ruby color. On the nose, dreamy chocolate-covered black raspberries followed by dark juicy plums and just the right amount of cocoa and floral accents in the endnote.

Using 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this wine shows a rich, ruby color. On the nose, dreamy chocolate-covered black raspberries followed by dark juicy plums and just the right amount of cocoa and floral accents in the endnote.

5,364 Views   Tasted
2016
88
Produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine serves up a floral, dark cherry nose. Medium bodied with a sweet, full, plum finish that will drink well early.

Produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine serves up a floral, dark cherry nose. Medium bodied with a sweet, full, plum finish that will drink well early.

3,036 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Using 80% Merlot and more Cabernet Franc than usual at 20%, this wine has licorice, flowers, cocoa and black cherry notes in the nose. Soft in texture, there is a plush, roundness in the tannins, sweetness in the black fruits and a near prurient essence in the fixture that insures this vintage will deliver a lot of pleasure. 90-92 Pts

Using 80% Merlot and more Cabernet Franc than usual at 20%, this wine has licorice, flowers, cocoa and black cherry notes in the nose. Soft in texture, there is a plush, roundness in the tannins, sweetness in the black fruits and a near prurient essence in the fixture that insures this vintage will deliver a lot of pleasure. 90-92 Pts

4,735 Views   Tasted
2015
87
Ripe, sweet and fruity, with a happy-to-meet-you, open, easy, black cherry character. 86 - 88 Pts

Ripe, sweet and fruity, with a happy-to-meet-you, open, easy, black cherry character. 86 - 88 Pts

3,613 Views   Tasted
2014
89
Dominated by Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this wine is soft, forward and plumy with an open chocolate-covered, black raspberry finish. 89-90 Pts

Dominated by Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this wine is soft, forward and plumy with an open chocolate-covered, black raspberry finish. 89-90 Pts

4,117 Views   Tasted
2014
87
This wine is ripe, fruity, short and easy to drink with a forward, spicy, red berry character. Produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 86-88 Pts

This wine is ripe, fruity, short and easy to drink with a forward, spicy, red berry character. Produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 86-88 Pts

2,344 Views   Tasted
2013
89
With intriguing scents of tangerine, coffee, cherry and plum, there is a nice softness to the texture, finishing with sweet cherries, oak and cocoa. 88-90 Pts

With intriguing scents of tangerine, coffee, cherry and plum, there is a nice softness to the texture, finishing with sweet cherries, oak and cocoa. 88-90 Pts

2,636 Views   Tasted
2013
86
Using 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the forward, medium-bodied wine focuses on mocha, plum and fresh cherries. Drink this on the young side. 85-87 Pts

Using 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the forward, medium-bodied wine focuses on mocha, plum and fresh cherries. Drink this on the young side. 85-87 Pts

2,667 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Medium bodied, earthy, smoky, dark red fruits in an approachable style.

Medium bodied, earthy, smoky, dark red fruits in an approachable style.

2,229 Views   Tasted
Aged in 50% new French oak, the wine is blended from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Fresh black cherry, cocoa, earth and coffee notes work well with the center of cherry and black raspberries. 87-89 Pts

Aged in 50% new French oak, the wine is blended from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Fresh black cherry, cocoa, earth and coffee notes work well with the center of cherry and black raspberries. 87-89 Pts

3,051 Views   Tasted
2012
87
Blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is packed with fresh black cherries. 86-88 Pts

Blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is packed with fresh black cherries. 86-88 Pts

2,826 Views   Tasted
2011
88
Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine is aged in 50% new oak. Black cherry, forest floor, pepper and spice, this is a soft, round, delicious red cherry-filled wine. 88-89 Pts

Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine is aged in 50% new oak. Black cherry, forest floor, pepper and spice, this is a soft, round, delicious red cherry-filled wine. 88-89 Pts

2,621 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is aged in 50% new oak with fresh red berries and an open personality. 87-88 Pts

Blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is aged in 50% new oak with fresh red berries and an open personality. 87-88 Pts

2,736 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Les Cruzelles From a blend of 90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc, Denis Durantou produced a wine from Lalande de Pomerol that could compete with several much more expensive Pomerol wines. Jammy berries, licorice, plums and chocolate covered raspberries open to a soft textured, charming, elegant, plummy wine that should drink well early. 89-91 Pts

Les Cruzelles From a blend of 90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc, Denis Durantou produced a wine from Lalande de Pomerol that could compete with several much more expensive Pomerol wines. Jammy berries, licorice, plums and chocolate covered raspberries open to a soft textured, charming, elegant, plummy wine that should drink well early. 89-91 Pts

3,954 Views   Tasted
2010
86
La Chenade lalande de Pomerol 80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc combine to make a medium bodied, lighter, Pomerol styled wine. 85-87 Pts

La Chenade lalande de Pomerol 80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc combine to make a medium bodied, lighter, Pomerol styled wine. 85-87 Pts

5,210 Views   Tasted
2009
91
Forward in style, medium bodied, with ample notes of licorice, black cherry, earth and dark chocolate. The finish offers good freshness, round textures and sweet, black raspberries with a hint of cocoa powder.

Forward in style, medium bodied, with ample notes of licorice, black cherry, earth and dark chocolate. The finish offers good freshness, round textures and sweet, black raspberries with a hint of cocoa powder.

3,232 Views   Tasted