2018 La Chenade, Lalande de Pomerol
A stone’s throw from Pomerol in Lalande de Pomerol, the hugely popular La Chenade is a steal at this price. An 80/20 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with dark juicy fruit, soft supple tannins and a gorgeous mouthfeel make this a real crowd-pleaser.
Up until 2019 the late great Denis Durantou was the winemaker here. Denis took over his family property Eglise Clinet in the early 1980s and turned it into one of Pomerol’s superstars before turning his hand to making wines in the surrounding appellations. These are now some of the best value wines in all of Bordeaux with incredibly consistent quality, plush ripe fruit and very smooth tannins.
"A heady, sumptuous wine, the 2018 La Chenade is so delicious right now. Inky dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice race across the palate. The 2018 is plush, open-knit and ready to give pleasure. There is a lot of substance to La Chenade in 2018, but I would prefer to drink it over the next decade, while the fruit is vibrant. Drink 2023-2033." Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com