2022 Château La Croix St. Georges, Pomerol, Bordeaux
Critics reviews
Tasted two times.
The 2022 La Croix St. Georges is another rich, plush Pomerol from Jean-Philippe Janoueix. Black fruit, chocolate, espresso, menthol, liquorice and spice fill out the layers in this imposing, deep Pomerol. There's a bit of oak that needs time to integrate, but also enough fruit to make me think that can happen.
Drink 2025 - 2037
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (May 2023)
Sculptured and full of dense black fruits. This has the same intensity of many of the Janoueix wines in the vintage, with sandalwood and smoked cedar, and supple tannins. Good quality.
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com (April 2023)
From a 4.5-hectare vineyard on the plateau of Pomerol adjacent to Le Pin and one of La Fleur-Pétrus's parcels, Jean-Philippe Janoueix's 2022 La Croix St Georges is the first produced with the input of consultant Thomas Duclos. Wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, minty berries, licorice and vine smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a seamless, complete profile and compelling purity of fruit. This has always been an immensely promising terroir, but now it really is an estate to watch.
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (April 2023)
Blackberry, hazelnut and chocolate, yet it remains reserved and focused. Full body with a solid core of fruit and fine tannins. Very classy. One of the best I have had.
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (April 2023)
HVE3 certified.
Juicy and concentrated but with energy and focus, so you get some push of bright fruit and a tannic density that gives the overall frame some seriousness. Concentrated and a touch toasted but sleek. A little subdued right now, more sombre than vibrant but the acidity is there as are cool touches. Some stalky, vanilla and clove on the finish.
Drink 2028 - 2046
Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com (May 2023)
Black raspberries, crushed stone, white flowers, and spice (I'd almost guess this was from limestone soils), the 2022 Château La Croix Saint Georges is medium-bodied, with a silky, elegant mouthfeel and a great finish. I love its purity and precision.
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (May 2023)
About this WINE
Chateau La Croix Saint Georges
The small vineyard of Château La Croix Saint Georges is superbly sited on the gravel of the high terrace opposite Château Petit Village and between the vineyards of Vieux Château Certan, La Croix and Le Pin. On the facade of one of the wine buildings, a very fine equestrian sculpture is a reminder that this estate belonged to the Order of Hospitaliers of Saint John of Jerusalem.
The soils are rich in clay and gravel the wines are bottled with no fining or filtration.They are distinguished by their finesse, elegance and softness. The House of Joseph Janoueix owns this property.
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
Already an estate on an upward trajectory, this tiny 4.2-hectare plot nestled behind Le Pin has made a further step forward this year. Owner Jean-Philippe Janoueix has been increasingly hands-on in recent vintages, instigating improvements in the cellar (some necessary, some ingenious) and undertaking major replanting.
From 2022, Thomas Duclos consults. The bouquet is strongly accented towards bright red fruits of cherry, raspberry and plum. The palate has a luxurious texture of creamy summer fruits. This is not going for power; there is a pleasing sense of harmony and easy charm, underpinned by earthy Pomerol spice.
Drink 2026 - 2042
Score: 17/20
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