Chateau La Croix du Casse Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

La Croix du Casse Pomerol

Learn everything about Chateau La Croix du Casse Pomerol with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairings. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau La Croix du Casse History, Overview

Chateau La Croix du Casse was purchased by Philippe Casteja in 2005. Casteja bought the estate from the Audy family, who bought the vineyard in 1956. The Audy was better known for owning the reknown Chateau Clinet.

The Casteja family were experienced chateau owners and negociants with estates on both banks, including another Pomerol estate, Domaine de l’Eglise.

Since his purchase in 2005, Philippe Casteja has continued to make improvements in the cellars and Pomerol vineyards of Chateau La Croix du Casse. In the cellars, aging concrete vats were replaced with stainless steel and the vineyards received a new drainage system. The results began to show with the quality of wine found in the 2009 vintage. Thomas Duclos acts as the consultant.

Chateau La Croix du Casse Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 13-hectare, Pomerol vineyard of Chateau La Croix du Casse is planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This higher percentage of Merlot is a change for the estate as they previously had 10% of their vines planted to Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Right Bank, Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau La Croix du Casse is situated on the southern edge of the plateau of Pomerol, not that far from Chateau Taillefer. The terroir is sand, gravel, and some iron deposits in the soil. Their vineyards are divided into 9 parcels. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. The vines are planted to a vine density of 7,000 vines per hectare.

The wine of Chateau La Croix du Casse is vinified in small, stainless, steel, temperature-controlled vats that range in size from 50 hectoliters to 100 hectoliters. The Merlot is vinified in the larger vats and the Cabernet Franc is placed into the 50 hectoliter tanks.

The wine is aged in 40% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 16 months. After barrel aging, the wine is placed back into vats for an additional 4 months of aging with the goal of reducing the effects of too much new oak. The average annual production of Chateau La Croix du Casse is close to 3,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per year. There is a second wine, Domaine du Casse.

Chateau La Croix du Casse produces a medium-bodied, lighter style of Pomerol wine that is best enjoyed in its youth, by the time it hits 10-12 years of age.

The best vintages of Chateau La Croix du Casse are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1998. However, since 2015, the wine being produced here has taken a big leap up in quality, while prices have remained consumer-friendly.

The Casteja family, along with their negociant arm owns several other Bordeaux estates including Chateau Trotte Vieille in St. Emilion, Chateau Batailley in Pauillac, and another value-priced Pomerol estate, Domaine de L’Eglise.

When to Drink Chateau La Croix du Casse, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Croix du Casse can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for between 1-2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau La Croix du Casse is usually better with at least 4-5 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Croix du Casse offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau La Croix du Casse with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau La Croix du Casse is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau La Croix du Casse is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau La Croix du Casse is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

www.lacroixducasse.com

Château La Croix du Casse Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 64,413 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
92
Flowers, mushrooms, black cherries, mint leaves, and cocoa are at the center of this wine, on the nose, and on the medium-bodied, elegant, soft, round, polished, fruity palate. I like the softness, lift and refinement here, as well as the powdered chocolate in the finish. The wine blends 97% Merlot with 3% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2042. 91-93 Pts.

Flowers, mushrooms, black cherries, mint leaves, and cocoa are at the center of this wine, on the nose, and on the medium-bodied, elegant, soft, round, polished, fruity palate. I like the softness, lift and refinement here, as well as the powdered chocolate in the finish. The wine blends 97% Merlot with 3% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2042. 91-93 Pts.

1,774 Views   Tasted
2020
92
With aromas of flowers, black cherries, espresso and a hint of blue fruit, the wine is soft, silky, fresh and polished, with ample lift, chocolate and ripe, black cherries with notes of coffee bean on the backend. This is a very strong vintage here. Drink from 2023-2040.

With aromas of flowers, black cherries, espresso and a hint of blue fruit, the wine is soft, silky, fresh and polished, with ample lift, chocolate and ripe, black cherries with notes of coffee bean on the backend. This is a very strong vintage here. Drink from 2023-2040.

769 Views   Tasted
Floral in nature, the wine displays cocoa infused cherries and plums on the nose. Medium-bodied, silky and fresh, there is a nice polish to the tannins and loads of juicy sweet, plums, spice, espresso and chocolate in the finish. You can drink this on release. But it will be even better if you age it for a few years. 91-93 Pts

Floral in nature, the wine displays cocoa infused cherries and plums on the nose. Medium-bodied, silky and fresh, there is a nice polish to the tannins and loads of juicy sweet, plums, spice, espresso and chocolate in the finish. You can drink this on release. But it will be even better if you age it for a few years. 91-93 Pts

2,138 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Medium-bodied, soft, silky and fresh, with a core of sweet, ripe cherries, flowers and wet earth. The wine is refined, chocolaty, and earthy on the palate and in the lush, plummy finish. Drink from 2023-2038.

Medium-bodied, soft, silky and fresh, with a core of sweet, ripe cherries, flowers and wet earth. The wine is refined, chocolaty, and earthy on the palate and in the lush, plummy finish. Drink from 2023-2038.

1,798 Views   Tasted
Pure silk and velvet, this is one sexy Pomerol. The fruit is perfectly ripe, opulent, luscious and rich. Fresh, pure, and complex, with a plummy finish that doesn't quit, this is the finest bottle of La Croix du Casse I have ever tasted. 92-94 Pts

Pure silk and velvet, this is one sexy Pomerol. The fruit is perfectly ripe, opulent, luscious and rich. Fresh, pure, and complex, with a plummy finish that doesn't quit, this is the finest bottle of La Croix du Casse I have ever tasted. 92-94 Pts

4,296 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Soft, elegant, silky, sweet red fruits and flowers define the wine. There is good lift, energy and refinement in the juicy, earthy red berries on the mid-palate and in the finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc.

Soft, elegant, silky, sweet red fruits and flowers define the wine. There is good lift, energy and refinement in the juicy, earthy red berries on the mid-palate and in the finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc.

1,156 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, floral and plummy, you'll find a soft, silky mid-palate and a red cherry, licorice and plum finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc. 89-91 Pts

Medium-bodied, floral and plummy, you'll find a soft, silky mid-palate and a red cherry, licorice and plum finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc. 89-91 Pts

2,116 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Blending 94% Merlot with 6% Cabernet Franc produced a wine that is medium bodied, focusing on chocolate-covered plums, a fruity mid-palate and a soft textured finish. Due to the frost, the estate lost 70% of their crop.

Blending 94% Merlot with 6% Cabernet Franc produced a wine that is medium bodied, focusing on chocolate-covered plums, a fruity mid-palate and a soft textured finish. Due to the frost, the estate lost 70% of their crop.

1,848 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Red plum and cherry, with smoke, licorice and incense aromas open the wine. From there you find a medium-bodied, soft, fresh, forward shot of ripe spicy cherries. You can drink this on release or age it for a few years. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Red plum and cherry, with smoke, licorice and incense aromas open the wine. From there you find a medium-bodied, soft, fresh, forward shot of ripe spicy cherries. You can drink this on release or age it for a few years. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

3,181 Views   Tasted
Salty, mineralesque tannins, medium bodied with sugar-glazed plums -- bright, red and black -- in a whisper finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption and it should be even better. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Salty, mineralesque tannins, medium bodied with sugar-glazed plums -- bright, red and black -- in a whisper finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption and it should be even better. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

2,774 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Better in bottle than in barrel, you find licorice, plums and flowers quickly here. Medium bodied, with soft textures, the ends with a nice, fruity finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

Better in bottle than in barrel, you find licorice, plums and flowers quickly here. Medium bodied, with soft textures, the ends with a nice, fruity finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

4,964 Views   Tasted
With plum, licorice and floral scents, this wine is medium bodied, ending with fresh, black cherries and a surprise twist -- a hint of mocha. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. 88 - 90 Pts

With plum, licorice and floral scents, this wine is medium bodied, ending with fresh, black cherries and a surprise twist -- a hint of mocha. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. 88 - 90 Pts

3,999 Views   Tasted
2014
87
Medium-bodied, soft, round and plummy with an easy-drinking, forward personality, finishing with light weight cherry, plum, licorice and cocoa notes.

Medium-bodied, soft, round and plummy with an easy-drinking, forward personality, finishing with light weight cherry, plum, licorice and cocoa notes.

1,818 Views   Tasted
2012
86
Blending 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc produced a light, ruby-colored Pomerol with raspberry and earthy notes that ends with a dusty, tart cherry finish. 84-87 Pts

Blending 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc produced a light, ruby-colored Pomerol with raspberry and earthy notes that ends with a dusty, tart cherry finish. 84-87 Pts

3,471 Views   Tasted
2010
88
Soft, round, approachable, easy to like and even easier to drink, the medium bodied wine serves up fresh plum, dark cherry and espresso notes.

Soft, round, approachable, easy to like and even easier to drink, the medium bodied wine serves up fresh plum, dark cherry and espresso notes.

4,315 Views   Tasted
2009
90
With a maturing color, the wine has moved to the secondary stage where you find truffle, smoke and roasted fruits. Medium bodied and fully mature, this is just at its peak today, where it will remain for at least another 7-8 years.

With a maturing color, the wine has moved to the secondary stage where you find truffle, smoke and roasted fruits. Medium bodied and fully mature, this is just at its peak today, where it will remain for at least another 7-8 years.

3,344 Views   Tasted
From a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Caberent Franc, the wine opens with licorice, juicy plums, black cherry, cocoa and vanilla. Plush in texture, with an open personality, this medium bodied Pomerol wine is not going to make old bones. I'd drink this over the next decade. La Croix du Casse remains one of the better value Bordeaux wines from Pomerol. This can still be purchased for under $30.

From a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Caberent Franc, the wine opens with licorice, juicy plums, black cherry, cocoa and vanilla. Plush in texture, with an open personality, this medium bodied Pomerol wine is not going to make old bones. I'd drink this over the next decade. La Croix du Casse remains one of the better value Bordeaux wines from Pomerol. This can still be purchased for under $30.

4,624 Views   Tasted
2008
88
Ready to drink, medium-bodied, classic styled Pomerol with an earthy, truffle, plum, thyme filled nose. Firm on the palate with a straight-forward plummy finish.

Ready to drink, medium-bodied, classic styled Pomerol with an earthy, truffle, plum, thyme filled nose. Firm on the palate with a straight-forward plummy finish.

1,389 Views   Tasted
2006
90
Ripe, soft, fresh, energetic wine with a plummy, truffle and licorice charm, that males you want to discover what's buried below the plums and dark chocolate. Tahis is drinking quite nicely today.

Ripe, soft, fresh, energetic wine with a plummy, truffle and licorice charm, that males you want to discover what's buried below the plums and dark chocolate. Tahis is drinking quite nicely today.

2,809 Views   Tasted
2005
88
With red plum, earth, herb and cocoa notes, this soft, easy drinking, medium bodied wine is already giving what it has to offer.

With red plum, earth, herb and cocoa notes, this soft, easy drinking, medium bodied wine is already giving what it has to offer.

3,045 Views   Tasted
2000
86
Light, bright and fading, the wine is more interesting on the earthy nose, than with its rustic, red plum finish. This requires drinking.

Light, bright and fading, the wine is more interesting on the earthy nose, than with its rustic, red plum finish. This requires drinking.

4,322 Views   Tasted
1998
85
This once supple wine is already starting to drop its fruit. Some pleasure can be gleaned from its black fruit profile. But I distinctly recall thinking this was a much better wine at age 5 than it shows itself today at 10. Drink up. It’s not getting any better. It’s already on the downslide on life.

This once supple wine is already starting to drop its fruit. Some pleasure can be gleaned from its black fruit profile. But I distinctly recall thinking this was a much better wine at age 5 than it shows itself today at 10. Drink up. It’s not getting any better. It’s already on the downslide on life.

4,463 Views   Tasted