2019 LA CHENADE LALANDE DE POMEROL - 6x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Neal Martin, June,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 La Chenade in Lalande-de-Pomerol was picked between 18 and 26 September and matured in 30% new oak. Unlike Durantou's fellow Lalande-de-Pomerol, this is predominantly red fruit rather than black with exuberant raspberry and cranberry, almost pastille-like. The palate is extremely well balanced, maybe with a bit more structure and weight than Les Cruzelles. The finish is spicy thanks to a liberal dash of cracked black pepper. Wonderful, as usual. Drink 2023 - 2038

• 

  Antonio Galloni, June 2020,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 La Chenade is plump and voluptuous in the glass, with terrific fruit presence and tons of pure character. Inky dark cherry, plum, spice, new oak and chocolate are all amped up in this racy, super-inviting Lalande de Pomerol. Denis Durantou and his team coaxed an unreal level of finesse in 2019. Harvest took place between September 18 and 26. Denis Durantou's 2019s are absolutely brilliant across the board. My tasting was obviously bittersweet, as Durantou lost his battle with illness just a few weeks prior. Denis Durantou was one of the most intriguing characters in Bordeaux. I can't say I knew him well, but I always enjoyed tasting with him, as he was a person that spoke more with his eyes than with words. Things were implied rather than overtly stated. So, I tasted the 2019s with daughters Constance and Noémie over Zoom, in typical 2020 fashion. The Durantou sisters describe 2019 as a year with an early flowering and homogenous ripening that led to small, concentrated berries and higher pHs than normal. Temperatures were kept cool in the cellar, where both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place over cuvaison of 21 days (for all wines), in a reductive environment with little oxygen. From top to bottom, the Durantou 2019s are positively stellar. Don't miss them!

• 

  Wine Advocate, June 2020,
  Score: 88-90

  Produced by Denis Darantou and family of Château L’Eglise-Clinet, this is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 La Chenade has a little reduction to begin, soon breaking through to reveal notes of raspberry pie, baked plums and boysenberries with hints of dusty soil, charcoal and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate is juicy and refreshing, with a light chewiness to the tannins and bags of freshness, finishing savory.

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  Decanter, June 2020,
  Score: 91

  Sweet, carefully extracted and poised blackberry and brambled fruits with gentle smoked oak notes and fresh acidities that cut through the heat of the summer. Delicate overall, this is an unforced and highly enjoyable wine. Drinking Window 2023 - 2036

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  Jancis Robinson, June 2020,
  Score: 16

  Round, forward and clearly for early drinking. Meaty, savoury edge to the fruit but aromatic freshness as well. Palate juicy with light but fine tannins. No great complexity but plenty of simple pleasure. Drink 2022-2028 (JL)

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  Wine Cellar Insider, June 2020,
  Score: 88-90

  A mix of flowers and chocolate on the nose opens the wine. From there, the medium-bodied, soft, ripe, lush fruits and the silky finish with its sweet berries and cocoa hit the spot. You can enjoy this just about on release for its textures and fruit-forward approach.

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Producer

La Chenade

Denis Durantou, the man behind the exceptional wines and reputation of Ch ‘Eglise Clinet in Pomerol, has branched out and is also responsible for Montlandrie, Cruzelles and La Chenade in the surrounding areas. He balances a belief in tradition and hard work with an openness to innovation, ensuring his wines are always of the highest quality.