2012 Château les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux

2012 Château les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux

Product: 20128124621
 
2012 Château les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux

Buying options

Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
You can place a bid for this wine on BBX

Description

From the famous proprietor Denis Durantou, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard just adjacent to its more famous neighbor, Pomerol, is a terrific 2012, one of the best Les Cruzelles Ive tasted, right up there with some of the impressive Lalande de Pomerols of 2009 and 2010. This wine is supple-textured, opulent and full-bodied, with a dense ruby/purple color, loads of mocha, black cherry and currant fruit. Long, full-bodied, rich, it is best drunk over the next 10-12 years. A sleeper of the vintage.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015

wine at a glance

Delivery and quality guarantee

Critics reviews

Wine Advocate90/100
From the famous proprietor Denis Durantou, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard just adjacent to its more famous neighbor, Pomerol, is a terrific 2012, one of the best Les Cruzelles Ive tasted, right up there with some of the impressive Lalande de Pomerols of 2009 and 2010. This wine is supple-textured, opulent and full-bodied, with a dense ruby/purple color, loads of mocha, black cherry and currant fruit. Long, full-bodied, rich, it is best drunk over the next 10-12 years. A sleeper of the vintage.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015 Read more
Jancis Robinson MW16/20
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, on clay and gravel. Less aromatic on the nose than the Chenade and the oak more evident. A little short of flesh in the middle but it has been made in a way that balances this so it is fresh and not astringent, the dark fruit brought out on the finish, which is longer than La Chenade.
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com, 29 Apr 2013 Read more
Wine Spectator89-92/100
A high-toned style, with pure violet, red currant and pomegranate notes, featuring a sleek, iron-tinged finish. Fresh and focused.
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 8 2013 Read more
Robert Parker90-92/100
Aromas of chocolate, melted caramel, toffee and black cherry jam emerge from this sexy, full-bodied, lush wine. Consume it over the next 7-8 years.

Given what proprietor Denis Durantou accomplished at his flagship estate of l’Eglise Clinet, it is not surprising that his Lalande de Pomerol is another brilliant wine as well as a major sleeper of the vintage. Harvested between September 21 and October 1, the 2012 Les Cruzelles is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr 2013 Read more
Decanter15.5/20
Dark fruit nose. Ripe and gourmand on the palate. Supple and approachable. Read more

About this WINE

Ch. les Cruzelles

Ch. les Cruzelles

Ch. les Cruzelles was a personal project of the late, great Denis Durantou – best known as the brilliant winemaker at Ch. l’Eglise Clinet in Pomerol. This property is not in Pomerol proper, but slightly further north, in the lesser-known Right Bank appellation of Lalande-de-Pomerol.

The 11-hectare vineyard lies adjacent to the famous Pomerol plateau, and benefits from the same clay soils. Along with neighbouring La Chénade (on the lower reaches of the same slopes), this estate was driven by Durantou’s passion for terroir. Through these estates, he could explore and demonstrate the potential of these impressive sites – which are still remarkably unknown, so offer great value for money.

Find out more
Lalande-de-Pomerol

Lalande-de-Pomerol

Lalande-de-Pomerol is situated on the right bank of the Dordogne River, just northeast of Bordeaux. It is known for producing high-quality red wines, primarily made from Merlot grapes, that share many characteristics with the more famous neighbouring appellation of Pomerol.

The appellation covers approximately 1,200 hectares (about 3,000 acres) of vineyards, predominantly planted with red grape varieties, with Merlot being the dominant grape. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown to a lesser extent.

The appellation shares a similar terroir (combination of soil, climate, and environmental factors) with Pomerol, famous for its clay and gravel soils. These soils are ideal for Merlot grapes and are known for their approachability and finesse. They often display characteristics of ripe dark fruits, such as plum and blackberry, along with soft tannins.

Winemakers in Lalande-de-Pomerol often use traditional Bordeaux winemaking techniques, including fermentation in stainless steel or oak tanks and aging in French oak barrels. This approach allows the wines to develop complexity and structure.

Like many Bordeaux appellations, Lalande-de-Pomerol estates may produce second wines, often called “second vins.” These wines are typically made from grapes from younger vines or different parcels within the vineyard. They offer a more accessible and affordable entry into the estate’s winemaking style.

Lalande-de-Pomerol is often compared to its more prestigious neighbor, Pomerol. While Pomerol is known for producing some of the most sought-after and expensive wines in Bordeaux, Lalande-de-Pomerol offers a more approachable price point while still delivering quality wines that share many of the characteristics of Pomerol wines.

Find out more
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.

In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and  Australia.

Find out more