Tasting Notes Made by the brilliant Denis Durantou of Chateau L'Eglise Clinet. The fruit is sourced from a section of the Les Cruzelles vineyard with gravel soil and younger vines. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Year on year La Chenade delivers the goods, but the price remains reasonable. As the quality of the vineyard continues to increase, more of the fruit is used for Les Cruzelles. So, in 2018 there are only 1000 cases of La Chenade - which is being aged in 30% new oak. Brought up in 30% new French oak and based on an 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château La Chenade has a classy, beautiful nose of crème de cassis, dried tobacco, lead pencil, and earth. This carries to a vibrant, medium-bodied Lalande de Pomerol with fine yet present tannins, a solid spine of acidity, and a great finish. It's another release from Denis Durantou that's going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and cruise for a decade. 92+ Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, March 2021 80 Merlot,