2010 Chateau La Croix de Gay, Pomerol

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The 2010 La Croix de Gay has a very Burgundian bouquet with lifted red cherries, wild strawberry and minerals – all wonderfully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with tense, very fine and almost filigree tannins. There is a wonderful symmetry and poise to this La Croix de Gay – the finest I have tasted in recent years (despite the turbulent background story of its division.) Bravo. Tasted November 2012.

(89-91+ pts)
Tasted at the Syndicat de Pomerol. This has a generous bouquet with some attractive earthy notes and just the right amount of herbaceous character. The palate is full-bodied with grippy ripe tannins, the oak a little disjointed at the moment but will hopefully coalesce by the time of bottling. This may warrant a higher mark after bottling. Tasted April 2011.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 La Croix de Gay gives up notes of new leather, warm blackberries and black cherry compote with wafts of menthol, chocolate box and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a muscular core of black fruits with a solid line of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on an invigorating herbal note.

The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, and it has turned out well in 2010, producing a richly fruity, elegant style of Pomerol with loads of berry fruit, cedar wood and roasted herbs as well as hints of coffee bean and cedar. Rich, medium to full-bodied , but never losing its finesse (which is usually the style of La Croix de Gay), this wine should drink nicely for up to 15 years. Drink: 2013 - 2028

The 25-acre vineyard produces wine with the assistance of Michel Rolland. Dr. Alain Raynaud has sold his interest to his sister, and part of the vineyard was actually sold to Chateau L'Evangile.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(89-91 pts)
2010: A bigger, more structured and intense La Croix de Gay than usual (this is generally a more elegant, finesse-styled Pomerol), the medium to full-bodied 2010 possesses an opaque ruby/purple color along with surprising intensity and copious aromas of berry fruit intermixed with vanillin, mocha and earth. Given the wine's tannic structure and size, I would cellar it for 4-5 years and drink it over the following 15-20 years.

A chocolatey wine, with flavorful fruit and round tannins. Mineral and licorice notes.

Tasted blind. Mature colour with brick rim. Scented with undergrowth and leather. Chewy, sinewy tannins and although it is mature, there’s still fruit at the core. However, the finish is very drying. (JH)