Château La Croix du Casse 2023

Punchy and bright, lively and high-toned with plenty of juiciness on show. A touch restricted and lacking a little in Pomerol plushness, but there’s energy and brightness with some serious tannins and edges of tobacco, dried herbs, liquorice and cedar. Quite robust and a bit severe and tight on the end, but with nice freshness.

The 2023 La Croix du Casse is bright, fruity and easy to drink. The riper side of the vintage comes through nicely in this soft, open-knit Pomerol. Hints of cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and mint add layers of aromatic presence.

Flowers, cherries, and a dash of cocoa fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, juicy, soft-textured, and forward, and remains focused on its red berry profile with its cherries, strawberry, and raspberries. The wine blends 96% Merlot, with 4% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2040.

Intense blueberry bouquet, fragrant cassis blossoms, graphite and licorice. On the elegant palate, supportive freshness with a mineral core. The focused finish shows blue berries, wax notes and refined spice. Well accomplished this year.

Dark-fruited, blackberries, herbal spice, licorice, smoky notes; on the palate elegant, fresh, fine tannins, delicate core of fruit, balanced, every element in its place; medium length, spicy finish. A real pleasure even when young.