Denis Durantou

96-98 Points - Neal Martin

The Grand Vin was picked between 21 September and 4th October for the Merlot, with the Cabernet Franc picked on 6th October. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc (aged in 80% new oak) it has Burgundy-like minerality and purity on the nose that is taciturn at first, but blossoms nicely in the glass whilst maintaining a sense of restraint and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with very pure fruit and a silky texture. The acidity is extremely well judged, the Cabernet Franc lending this wine just a touch of edginess. There is sublime focus on the mineral-laden finish. One day, Denis Durantou will make a wine that does not merit a stream of superlatives. But that day seems a long way away. Tasted April 2013.

93 Points - James Suckling

I love the aromas of blackberries and chocolate with flowers. Full body, soft and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Gorgeous red. Drink or hold.

91 Points - Antonio Galloni

The 2014 Montlandrie is gorgeous. Dark, sensual and inviting, it offers up a compelling mélange of dark red cherry, sage, tobacco, menthol and licorice. Pliant and expressive, this is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years.

93 Points - Antonio Galloni 

The 2016 Les Cruzelles is every bit as captivating from bottle as it was from barrel. Dense, pliant and inviting, the 2016 has so much to offer. Black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice, new leather and lavender all run through this super-expressive, pliant Lalande de Pomerol from Denis Durantou. The 2016 offers a striking combination of fruit intensity and structure. I loved it.

92 Points - Neal Martin 

The 2016 Les Cruzelles, Denis Durantou’s other Lalande de Pomerol after La Chenade, was bottled around the same time, at the end of May 2018. It has a slightly more savory bouquet than the La Chenade, featuring scents of black cherry and lavender plus light notes of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grippy tannin. There is a symmetry and tension about this Les Cruzelles that I love. It’s a tad closed at the moment, but it will open in its own time. "Give it a chance to mellow," says Durantou. Sage advice.

92-94 Points - Robert Parker

92 Points - Neal Martin

95 Points - Neal Martin

The 2014 L’Eglise-Clinet has a gentle, understated bouquet at first that takes time to open, eventually offering black fruit, melted tar, truffle and bay leaf aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, rather masculine and thickset at the moment, lightly spiced towards the finish. Much like the Vieux-Château-Certan, this is a little awkward in a blind setting however, it clearly meliorates in the glass and I keep on having to up my score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

93 Points - Neal Martin

The 2015 Les Cruzelles has a fragrant, pure and winsome bouquet with joyful dark cherry and crushed strawberry aromas. It has clearly lost the bashfulness it showed in barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very well balanced with succulent, brambly red fruit mixed with truffle and a hint of black olive. This has really blossomed in barrel and frankly, it shows up a lot of Pomerol crus this vintage. Factor in the price that this was released en primeur and if you do not have a case in your cellar, well, too bad! Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2030.

92-93 Points - James Suckling 

This is very dense and beautiful yet it’s agile and exciting. Blueberries, chocolate and walnuts. Full to medium body and beautiful length. Juicy center palate of fruit.

91 Points - Neal Martin 

The 2016 Saintayme is quite deep in color. The bouquet unfurls gradually to reveal blackberry, briar and light cedar aromas, all gentle and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins on the entry, a slightly chalky texture and a fine bead of acidity. This is a more masculine Saintayme compared to other vintages, displaying more grip and salinity toward the finish. I suspect that, given its amazing value, this will be consumed early, but personally, I would stash it away for three or four years, because it has more to give.

92 Points - Neal Martin

The 2014 Les Cruzelles has a simple bouquet, tertiary in style, woodland scents intermixed and perhaps dominating the fruit underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin, chewy in the mouth at first although it musters more detail towards the lightly spiced, quite saline finish. Like other Pomerol wines it just needs another three or four years in the glass. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

92 Points - Neal Martin

The 2015 Montlandrie was precocious out of barrel but now it has learned some manners and blossomed into a more refined and sophisticated Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, the 45% new oak beautifully assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, perfectly pitched acidity, a little savory and dried blood surfacing toward the finish to complete a glorious wine that fulfills its promise from barrel. I suspect this will be longer lasting than many will allow it. Anticipated maturity: 2019 – 2035.