Cruzelles - Lalande de Pomerol 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

par Jeb Dunnuck le 31/03/2026

Smoky black fruits, spring flowers, violets, graphite, and chocolaty oak all emerge from the 2023 Château Les Cruzelles, a deeper ruby-hued, slightly more serious and age-worthy effort based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was aged in 55% new French oak. It would do just fine in a lineup of impressive Pomerol! Medium to full-bodied, it has nicely integrated oak, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to have 15+ years of prime drinking. Drink 2026-2041.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

par Jeff Leve le 30/03/2026

Smoke, chocolate, flowers, plums, cocoa, and black cherries show easily in the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and fresh, with energy, refinement, and most importantly, 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.

Vinous

95

par Antonio Galloni le 16/03/2026

The 2023 Les Cruzelles is a total knockout. Strong savory and herbal notes soar from the glass. Inky and deeply pitched, Les Cruzelles is seriously impressive right out of the gate. Its purity, persistence and saline-drenched drive make for a truly exceptional wine. Readers who own the 2023 should be thrilled.

Vinous

92

par Neal Martin le 01/02/2026

The 2023 Les Cruzelles, the Lalande de Pomerol from the Durantou family, aged in 50% new oak, has a more mineral-driven bouquet compared to La Chenade. Here, 20% Cabernet Franc lends another dimension. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy with gentle grip. Black pepper and sage emerge toward the finish that has real intent and purpose. As such, I might afford this two or three years in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

94

par James Suckling le 27/01/2026

Aromas of blackberries and blueberries with spice and bark undertones follow through to a medium body with juicy and polished tannins and a long, spicy finish. Lovely chocolate, coffee and light toasted oak flavors. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Drinkable now, but even better in two or three years.

My Bettane + Desseauve

91

par Bettane & Desseauve le 15/05/2024

Des accents floraux où la pivoine et la rose affichent une belle classe aromatique. Texture crémeuse du meilleur effet, cela se goûte parfaitement.

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

par Yves Beck le 14/05/2024

Die holzigen Nuancen werden betont, aber auch Noten von Lakritze und dunklen Beeren kommen zum Vorschein. Der Wein hat einen süßen Auftakt und eine mittlere Dichte, gewinnt aber am Gaumen an Substanz. Die Tannine zeigen sich auf subtile, präzise Weise mit einer kontrollierten Kraft, die durch die Säurestruktur ergänzt wird. Es ist die Finesse, die diesen Wein mit einer Gelassenheit nach vorne bringt, die bei diesem Jahrgang selten zu beobachten ist. Er wirkt zufrieden und verfügt über alle notwendigen Voraussetzungen, um einige Zeit im Keller zu verbringen!

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94

par Jeb Dunnuck le 13/05/2024

Coming from slightly more clay soils than the La Chenade, the 2023 Château Les Cruzelles is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 55% new oak. It's another rocking little Pomerol look-alike offering terrific finesse and elegance, as well as plenty of ripeness. Ripe red and black fruits, tobacco, and spice are just some of its nuances, and it's balanced, has fine tannins, and outstanding length.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

par Jeff Leve le 06/05/2024

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.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

par Jane Anson le 06/05/2024

A vintage where the gap between Cruzelles and La Chenade is wide, and even on the nose it is clear that there are more depths and density to this wine. Love the texture, the depth of raspberry and damson fruits, shot through with black tea, sage and fennel. This is really a brilliant Cruzelles, 55% new oak. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield. Noëmie Durantou winemaker.

Vinous

91-94

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2024

The 2023 Les Cruzelles is a potent, deep wine. The 2023 has all the Cabernet Francs from the Lalande-de-Pomerol estate blended with Merlots that were particularly abundant. Pretty floral and savory notes from the Franc give this mid-weight, dynamic, vibrant Lalande-de-Pomerol tons of charm. I especially admire its energy. Readers will want to give this a few years in bottle.

Vinous

91-93

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2024

The 2023 Les Cruzelles is the same blend as last year. Though it includes fruit that went into La Chenade in 2022, the volume of Merlot was higher, so it remains 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. When Noemie Durantou tasted through the tanks, she found it easy to pick out the wines from Les Cruzelles. Harvested between September 11 and 18 and matured in 52% new oak, this has a delineated and focused bouquet. A hint of incense infuses the black fruit, while a subtle citric element tucks in underneath. The palate is wonderful, certainly more complex and mineral-driven than the La Chenade, possessing gentle grip and perfectly pitched acidity. it fans out with chutzpah on the peppery finish. Excellent.

Alexandre Ma

93-95

par Alexandre Ma le 28/04/2024

Wine Advocate

90-92

par Yohan Castaing le 26/04/2024

The 2023 Les Cruzelles initially presents a slightly oaky aroma, which transitions to a more floral essence upon aeration. Then it evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries. Medium-bodied, round and charming, it has velvety tannins and a dense, elegant mid-palate, with a long, rich and fruity finish. It's a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc matured in 55% new oak.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

par James Suckling le 25/04/2024

This is one of the best young Lalande de Pomerols I have had. It is very deep and complex on the palate, with pure fruit, spice and chocolate. Lovely tannins, too. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon.