Denis Durantou – Gentleman and winemaker extraordinaire
It is with great sadness we bring the news of the death of one of Bordeauxs truly great producers, Denis Durantou.
He passed away last week after a long illness, at the young age of 62. All of Bordeaux and in particular Pomerol are in mourning.
We have been singing his praises for a very long time, considering him the best winemaker in Bordeaux. His story is inextricably linked to the rise of the tiny Pomerol estate, Ch l’Eglise Clinet, into one of the superstars of the appellation.
Up until the 1980s it had been operating “en metayage” to the Lasserre family. Denis took back full ownership and by the late 1990s was producing wines at the same level as the 1st growths and right bank icons Petrus and Lafleur. Its tiny 1600 case production has achieved cult status. The 2000s saw Denis expand with three new properties, Les Cruzelles in Lalande de Pomerol, Saintayme in St Emilion and Montlandrie in the Cotes de Castillon, which he has turned into serious overperformers.
We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, artist Marie Reilhac, and three daughters.
