2022 Les Cruzelles (Lalande-de-Pomerol)

As I wrote during primeur, the 2022 Les Cruzelles has plenty of fruit on the nose, especially following the more tightly coiled La Chenade. A black cherry note, a touch of cassis and a sprig of wild mint come through with time. This is quite exuberant and captivating. The palate is medium-bodied with a powerful entry that lacquers the mouth. Saturated tannins and fine acidity create a luxuriant Lalande-de-Pomerol with immense purity toward the finish. This delightful, slightly hedonistic wine from the Durantou stable should be tempered by time. 93 points

The 2022 Les Cruzelles is ample, rich and explosive, just as it was en primeur. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, crushed rocks, lavender and dried herbs soar out of the glass. The long, sustained finish suggests the 2022 will enjoy a long and rewarding life. A wine of substance and heft, Les Cruzelles is seriously impressive. Readers should expect a potent, brooding red. 94 points

More clay in the soils here and there is a lovely balance, fleshy in texture and high impact, but with a ton of interest, dark deep chocolate, gunsmoke, aniseed, fennel, black cherry, lovely fresh acidities. Harvest September 1 to 12, 28hl/h, 50% new oak, Noemie Durantou winemaker. 93 points

More serious and structured than La Chenade, the 2022 Les Cruzelles unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries and blackberries mingled with hints of licorice and mint. Medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, it`s built around powdery structuring tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. 90-92 points