The freshness and complexity of a Pomerol red wine
The estate
For nearly six centuries, Chateau La Croix de Gay has watched over an exceptional terroir in Pomerol. The Raynaud-Lebreton family, currently at the helm of the estate, comes from a family of winegrowers who have been enjoying this profession since 1772 and who have been settled in the commune of Pomerol since 1447.
The vineyard
Chateau La Croix de Gay 2021 is a Pomerol wine that stems from a 4.2-hectare vineyard, resting on Günzian gravel and Mindel gravel on a clay soil.
The vintage
2021 reveals a contrast between a vintage that boasts a very fresh aromatic palette and a year marked by global warming. A little later than during the year 2020, budbreak was recorded at the end of March. By way of comparison, the Japanese cherry trees bloomed from March 26th, the earliest date since the year 812! The period from April to July is marked by an unusual jet stream and unstable weather conditions. Periods of frost on the 7th and 8th of April had little impact on the vineyard, which was protected by heaters. Although the beginning of June was hot, the end of the month was very humid. Due to the high pressure of mildew from mid-July to mid-August, the chateau's teams increased their efforts to preserve the vineyard’s healthy condition. While the end of summer was more stable, September alternated between sunny days and rainy spells. Perfectly ripe and showcasing a beautiful aromatic palette, the harvested grapes combine freshness, fruitiness, structure and balance.
Vinification and aging
The hand-picked grapes are vatted for 34 to 35 days. Malolactic fermentation is carried out partly in barrels. Moderate extractions. The wine is aged in barrels (40% new, 60% second fill barrels).
The blend
Chateau La Croix de Gay 2021 comprises a blend of Merlot (96%) and Cabernet Franc (4%).