La Chenade de Denis Durantou

Denis Durantou was one of the great names of Bordeaux. Owner of L’Eglise Clinet, he took the Pomerol estate from obscurity to star status, with Robert Parker famously awarding the 2005 vintage 100 points. Durantou was brilliant at capturing terroir in a bottle and since his death in 2020, his daughter Noëmie has faithfully continued that tradition, both at L’Eglise Clinet and the family’s other Right Bank châteaux. The latter are a great way to taste the echoes of Denis’ genius without breaking the bank.

Château les Cruzelles – in Lalandes de Pomerol – is just 1km from the famous Pomerol plateau. Mostly Merlot, but with an unusually high percentage (40%) of Cabernet Franc, its grand vin is powerful, complex and capable of lengthy ageing. It gives Grand Vin pedigree at second wine prices, while its actual second wine, La Chenade, is incredible value for money. Saintayme, at the eastern end of St Emilion, is a small vineyard of 35-year-old Merlot vines, producing powerful, precise wines that usually benefit from at least mid-term ageing. Following major work in the vineyards, meanwhile, Chateau Montlandrie in the Cotes de Castillon is now 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside the more typical Merlot (65%) and 20% of Cabernet Franc. It’s a real wine to watch.