2021 Château Vray Croix de Gay, Pomerol, Bordeaux
Critics reviews
The 2021 Vray Croix de Gay is perfumed on the nose, offering truffle-tinged red fruit and a touch of damp, loamy soil. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, taut and fresh, leading to a light, slightly attenuated finish, yet it has plenty of freshness and should gain weight in barrel.
Drink 2027 - 2042
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (May 2022)
This has a ton of freshness and vivacity, with bright blueberry and raspberry fruits, supple tannins that are leaning into the vintage, not trying to hard to over extract but letting the juice through, along with some Pomerol glamour. Good stuff. Jean Claude Berrouet consultant, Vincent Millet director, Penelope Godefroy technical director, organic farming. Tasted twice.
Drink 2026 - 2040
Jane Anson, janeanson.com (May 2022)
About this WINE
Chateau Vray Croix de Gay
Pomerol - owned by SCE Baronne Guichard, this 4 ha property produces on average 1, 300 cases per year. Located in the far east of the Pomerol appellation, the property shares a similar climate to that enjoyed by both St.Emilion & Pomerol: more continental than the maritime Médoc with generally more spring rainfall, though less in summer & winter. Its vineyards (Merlot 80%; Cabernet Franc 15%; Cabernet Sauvignon 5%) lie on clay-gravel, with sand soils. Vinification includes 18 months' wood maturation, 30% new oak.
Pomerol
Pomerol is the smallest of Bordeaux's major appellations, with about 150 producers and approximately 740 hectares of vineyards. It is home to many bijou domaines, many of which produce little more than 1,000 cases per annum.
Both the topography and architecture of the region is unremarkable, but the style of the wines is most individual. The finest vineyards are planted on a seam of rich clay which extends across the gently-elevated plateau of Pomerol, which runs from the north-eastern boundary of St Emilion. On the sides of the plateau, the soil becomes sandier and the wines lighter.
There is one satellite region to the immediate north, Lalande-de-Pomerol whose wines are stylistically very similar, if sometimes lacking the finesse of its neighbour. There has never been a classification of Pomerol wines.
Recommended Châteaux : Ch. Pétrus, Vieux Ch. Certan, Le Pin, Ch. L’Eglise-Clinet, Ch. La Conseillante, Ch. L’Evangile, Ch. Lafleur, Trotanoy, Ch. Nenin, Ch. Beauregard, Ch. Feytit-Clinet, Le Gay.
Merlot/Cabernet Franc
Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grape varieties commonly used in Bordeaux-style blends, particularly in the Bordeaux region of France. When these two grapes are blended, they can create a wine that combines the best characteristics of each variety.
Merlot is known for its smoothness, soft tannins, and ripe fruit flavours. It often contributes black cherry, plum, and chocolate flavours to the blend. The grapes are relatively easy to grow and ripen earlier than other Bordeaux varieties, making them versatile for blending.
Cabernet Franc, on the other hand, adds structure, depth, and complexity to the blend. It typically brings aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry, along with herbal notes like bell pepper and tobacco. These grapes have thinner skins and can be more challenging to cultivate, requiring specific growing conditions to reach their full potential.
When Merlot and Cabernet Franc are combined, the result is a well-balanced wine with various flavours and aromas. The blend often exhibits a Bordeaux wine's medium to full body, along with a smooth texture and moderate tannins. The specific flavour profile can vary depending on the proportions of each grape in the blend and the terroir and winemaking techniques employed.
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Description
Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 20%
A rather complex history means that this property is less well known than it deserves to be. It’s now under the same ownership as Calon Ségur (the Suravenir insurance group; they bought it from the owners of Latour), and so a new chapter begins. With vineyards near La Fleur-Pétrus, Le Gay and Trotanoy, the potential is evident. With Calon’s excellent Technical Director, Vincent Millet, overseeing matters, the 2021 here has a tense and expressively high-toned bouquet. The palate is assertive and creamy, growing in flavour and depth. This is an impressive effort from a seemingly rarely seen property. Drink 2026-2040.
Our score: 17/20
Berry Bros. & Rudd, April 2022
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