Appellation | Pauillac

Grape  62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet franc; 6% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes | The nose is elegant, fruity and offers a slight power as well as a slight intensity. It reveals notes of fleshy/crunchy wild strawberry, fleshy/crunchy raspberry and slight notes of blackberry associated with small touches of blackcurrant, fresh blueberry and very discreet hints of gray pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, juicy, balanced and offers good definition, a fine juiciness, straightness and a fine acid frame. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/tangy red berries, juicy/tangy raspberry and slight notes of blackberry associated with a hint of cherry, fine hints of liquorice stick as well as a very discreet hint of cardamom and vanilla

Ageing |12 months in French oak barrels (30% new barrels)

Pairing |  This wine will pair well with beef, and venison. 

Drinking | Château Croizet-Bages is nearing opening enough to enjoy. You will just need to decanter it for 2 hours for it to open up and so the tannins can soften enough. This will age for another 2 years, like most Pauillacs. 

Critic notes/awards | - 92-93/100 James Suckling, 89-91/100 Robert Parker, 92/100 Wine Enthusiast 16,5/20, RVF 16/20 Bettane & Desseauve 92/100 Decanter

History - Château Croizet-Bages, like many other Pauillacs, is located on the famous Bages plateau. In 1853, two years before its classification as a fifth classified growth, Château Croizet-Bages became the property of the Calvé family, which somewhat modified the brand which then became: Château Calvé Croizet-Bages, and this until the end of the year 1934. It was during this period that Mr. Paul Quié acquired this vintage, which has since remained in the same family. For about twenty years, the vineyard experienced a phase of reconstitution; this long work is now complete. Until the 1986 harvest, only an old concrete vat existed. Since then, new premises have been built to improve the quality of winemaking. The Paul Quié heirs also own the Château Rauzan-Gassies estate, in Margaux, second growth classified in 1855, as well as the Château Bel-Orme-Tronquoy-de-Lalande estate.

Current owner - Pierre Peyronie and his daughter Pascale.

Soils: Gravel soils and the remaining quarter is on sand-gravel.

Farming: The vineyard is ploughed and cultivated in accordance with the principles of sustainable control: traps are installed throughout the vineyard to keep counts of insect pests and adapt treatments to just the right levels.

Leaf stripping is carried out on the eastern side of the rows in mid-August to optimise air circulation around the grapes. Two weeks before harvesting, leaf-stripping is also carried out on the other side of the rows to combat outbreaks of grey rot. Green harvest is also carried out to limit the yield and increase quality.

Vines: 35 years on average