Cruzelles 2022 (750ML)

93-94 JS / 92-94 JD / 92-94 VM / 93 JA / 93 DE / 89-91+ WI

A solid red with blackberry, chocolate, walnut and hazelnut. Medium to full body. Smily face here, thanks to the ripe seeds. - James Suckling

Another gorgeous Lalande de Pomerol, the 2022 Château Les Cruzelles is deep ruby/purple and boasts a great nose of ripe darker cherries, cassis, graphite, and flowers. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it's medium-bodied, stays lively and elegant, and has silky tannins as well as a great finish. It's going to be a hidden gem in the vintage that readers will love to have in the cellar. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 Les Cruzelles was picked between 1 and 12 September and matured in 50% new oak. This has plenty of fruité on the nose: small red cherries, redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit, a touch of cedar in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful definition and mineralité, dark fruit, hints of black tea and spices, really harmonious and sappy on the finish. Possibly the best Les Cruzelles that I have tasted at this stage and sure to be an unbeatable value-for-money. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

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. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Taught and super fresh, a lovely bite and grip to this straight away, firm but succulent and mouthwatering giving liveliness as well as tension that go really well together. Lovely salty touches with dark chocolate, cola and blackcurrants. Feels well worked, nothing pushed, delicate yet full of flavour and intensity. Where La Chenade is plump and fleshy and juicy, this is more straight and serious and focussed. Both lovely expressions and I like the flint, slate grip to this. 3.65pH. A yield of 28hl/ha. Ageing in 50% new oak. Harvest 7 September - 12 September. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Les Cruzelles 2022 is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It requires a little swirling to unlock notes of licorice, tilled soil, and Sichuan pepper, over a core of plum preserves, baked blackberries, and raspberry leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is soft, elegantly styled, and graceful, with just enough fruit and a savory finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent