Château Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol Rouge 2023

Château Les Cruzelles 2023 - Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Château Les Cruzelles is a wonderfully polished Right Bank Bordeaux, offering both immediate charm and the structure to reward patience. Aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry and damson are layered with violets, graphite, cedar and subtle hints of cocoa and baking spice. The palate is supple and refined, with beautifully ripe Merlot fruit supported by fresh Cabernet Franc, silky tannins and a distinctive mineral streak that carries through to a long, elegant finish. Rich without excess, it combines concentration with freshness in a style that is unmistakably Durantou. 

Owned by the renowned Durantou family, whose Château L'Église-Clinet is one of Pomerol's benchmark estates, Les Cruzelles occupies an exceptional site just one kilometre from the Pomerol plateau. The 2023 vintage is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, harvested by hand and matured in approximately 55% new French oak, bringing additional depth while preserving the vineyard's mineral character. Under the guidance of Noémie Durantou, the estate continues the family's meticulous approach, producing one of Lalande-de-Pomerol's most consistently outstanding wines. 

Grape Variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

Style: Red – Full-bodied, refined and age-worthy

Drink Window: 2027–2043

Perfect For: Roast lamb, beef Wellington, duck breast, venison, mushroom dishes and mature hard cheeses

Critic Scores:

95 points - James Suckling  

94 points -  Decanter

94 points - Jeb Dunnuck

93 points -Jane Anson

91-94 points - Vinous (Antonio Galloni)

91–93 points - Vinous (Neal Martin)

A superb expression of Lalande-de-Pomerol that offers the pedigree and precision of the Durantou family at exceptional value, with the balance and structure to evolve beautifully over the next two decades.