Cruzelles, Chateau Les
Summary
Château Les Cruzelles is a 5.5-hectare Lalande-de-Pomerol estate run by the Durantou family, producing Merlot-dominant Bordeaux from clay and gravel soils that share similarities with neighboring Pomerol. The estate applies the same exacting standards used at their Pomerol property L'Église-Clinet, yielding wines that demonstrate how exceptional terroir and precise winemaking can elevate an appellation's reputation.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Les Cruzelles is situated in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, France. The property gained significant recognition under the stewardship of Denis Durantou, who simultaneously managed the highly regarded Château L'Église-Clinet in neighboring Pomerol. Following Denis Durantou's passing in May 2020, his daughters Noëmie and Constance Durantou assumed leadership of the family's wine properties, including Les Cruzelles. The transition maintained continuity in both management philosophy and quality standards. The Durantou family's approach to Les Cruzelles has consistently emphasized terroir expression while applying the winemaking expertise developed at their Pomerol estate.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Les Cruzelles encompasses approximately 5.5 hectares of vineyards in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation, positioned on the right bank of Bordeaux. The vineyard composition features predominantly Merlot (approximately 80%) complemented by Cabernet Franc (approximately 20%), planted on soils characterized by clay and gravel—a terroir profile that shares similarities with neighboring Pomerol. This soil composition provides good drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods, contributing to consistent grape ripening. The property produces a principal wine, Château Les Cruzelles, which typically displays the rich, plummy characteristics associated with Merlot-dominant wines from this region, while the Cabernet Franc component adds structural elements and aromatic complexity.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château Les Cruzelles follows traditional Bordeaux methods with careful attention to detail. Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting to ensure only optimal fruit enters the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks, allowing for precise extraction of color, tannin, and flavor compounds. The wine undergoes aging in French oak barrels, with approximately one-third new oak, for a period of 18 months before bottling. This measured oak regimen aims to complement rather than overwhelm the fruit character of the wine. Throughout Denis Durantou's tenure and continuing under his daughters' direction, the focus has remained on producing wines that authentically reflect the Lalande-de-Pomerol terroir while maintaining consistency and quality across vintages.