Denis Durantou
About Denis Durantou
Denis Durantou was a legendary figure across Bordeaux and the wider world of wine. Whilst he will be sorely missed, he is survived by his wife Marie Reilhac and daughters Alix, Noemie and Constance. Fortunately for the quality of the wines, Durantou’s right-hand man of many years, Olivier Gautrat, continues to craft the stunning range of wines leads by the formidable Château L’Eglise Client.
Of course, Durantou’s reputation as a genius winemaker was founded on the superb Grand Vin of Château L’Eglise Clinet. The estate, which thanks to his stewardship, finds itself alongside the likes of Pétrus and Lafleur, consistently challenges for the title of wine of the vintage from across the whole of Bordeaux.
However, what the Durantous have also become famed for are their incredibly good value wines from other properties within their holdings. Often regarded as some of the best value wines in Bordeaux, they are quite simply must-buy wines for their quality and value.
Viniculture
Château Les Cruzelles is a small property in Lalande de Pomerol just 1km from Pomerol itself. Sharing more than a few classic Pomerol characteristics, this wine always massively over-delivers given its price point. From the younger vines in Les Cruzelles’ vineyards, La Chenade is produced which again offers remarkable value for money and a different expression of the same terroir.
In Saint-Émilion, there is Saintayme found in the commune of Saint Etienne de Lisse with neighbours such as Ch. Valandraud just a stone’s throw away.
Located in the Côtes de Castillon and only added to the Durantou portfolio in 2009 is Château Montlandrie. Often besting a number of very serious St-Émilion wines in blind tastings amongst experts, it remains seriously well-priced in the line-up.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£250.24 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2018 Lés Cruzelles impressed from barrel. Now in bottle, it has developed quite a precocious, intense bouquet of blackberry and blueberry fruit, a light savory note and earthy scents emerging with time. The palate is just wonderful: exquisitely balanced, quite structured yet not unapproachable, the acidity perfectly judged, with a ferrous note toward the finish. This is as good a Lalande de Pomerol as you will find in this vintage. |
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|
Bordeaux | 12 | 94 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£290.44 |
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Decanter (94)Stands out from La Chenade in the vintage, with its velvet texture and a more serious sculpted feel overall. Tobacco and liquorice notes besides black cherry and raspberry fruits, good tension, serious but with Lalande-de-Pomerol unfussy appeal. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£213.04 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)This is an excellent vintage of Montlandrie, with smoked coffee and cocoa bean, a ton of salinity, powerful blue and red fruits, super juicy on the finish. Enticing curled woodsmoke as it comes out of the glass, slate finish with a scrape of minerality. 40% new oak. Harvest September 30 to October 10. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£213.04 |
|||||
James Suckling (92-93)This is very perfumed with a firm and solid, stony tannin structure. Lovely, linear line through this. Full and tight at the same time. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£192.50 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2018 Lés Cruzelles impressed from barrel. Now in bottle, it has developed quite a precocious, intense bouquet of blackberry and blueberry fruit, a light savory note and earthy scents emerging with time. The palate is just wonderful: exquisitely balanced, quite structured yet not unapproachable, the acidity perfectly judged, with a ferrous note toward the finish. This is as good a Lalande de Pomerol as you will find in this vintage. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 12 | 94 (DC) |
In Bond
£226.00 |
|||||
Decanter (94)Stands out from La Chenade in the vintage, with its velvet texture and a more serious sculpted feel overall. Tobacco and liquorice notes besides black cherry and raspberry fruits, good tension, serious but with Lalande-de-Pomerol unfussy appeal. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94 (JA) |
In Bond
£161.50 |
|||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)This is an excellent vintage of Montlandrie, with smoked coffee and cocoa bean, a ton of salinity, powerful blue and red fruits, super juicy on the finish. Enticing curled woodsmoke as it comes out of the glass, slate finish with a scrape of minerality. 40% new oak. Harvest September 30 to October 10. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£161.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (92-93)This is very perfumed with a firm and solid, stony tannin structure. Lovely, linear line through this. Full and tight at the same time. |