2021, Château La Chenade, LALANDE DE POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot.

The fruit here is sourced from a section of the Les Cruzelles vineyard with gravel soil and younger vines.

The 2021 is 100% Merlot as the Cabernet Franc went entirely into Les Cruzelles this year. Bright ruby colour. Super fragrant on the nose with cherry blossom and fresh plums. There are hints of spice that are both subtle and well integrated into the fruit. The palate has an airy intensity of fruit and gentle, pithy tannins which lightly frame it. This is an elegant, rounded Chenade with real energy and fragrance. It will offer superb drinking from a fairly young age and remains excellent value for money. Fans of the Durantou wines will not be disappointed. 90-92 Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, London.

The precision that you find so often in the Durantou family estates is fully on display here, with carefully placed redcurrant and raspberry fruit and gentle waves of campfire smoke. A little soft through the mid palate, but all in balance. No frost or mildew, giving yields of 45hl/h. Sandy gravel soils, harvest September 23 to October 1. Noémie Durantou winemaker. 88 Jane Anson

The 2021 La Chenade, from vineyards in Lalande de Pomerol that were saved from the frost, offers up rich aromas of berries and plums mingled with loamy soil and spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, it's built around powdery tannins and lively acids. 89-90 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.