Château La Croix du Casse 2020

It hasn’t lost any of its class; certainly more closed than en primeur, with tannins that are currently a bit more angular, yet absolutely recommended.

Ripe and super perfumed, you can smell the warmth of the vintage on the nose: dark plum, fig, pomegranate, some molasses, baked patisserie, but with soft flecks of florality too. Plump, ripe and round, the tannins are chewy and chunky, mouth-coating and nicely weighted, but the fruit flavours are a bit strict and severe — a touch astringent and dry on the mid-palate, with salinity and minerality coming through strongly, pencil lead and liquorice shutting down some of the fruit, and the oak somewhat restricting the palate. It’s all very overt at the moment, but the tannins are good and this will settle. Power over poise, muscular, confident and bold. Aged 16 months in barrels, 55% new oak.

Gorgeous boysenberry and blackberry aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied yet very tight and poised, with firm and racy tannins and a fresh finish. Orange peel and pure ripe fruit. Just right. 94% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.

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 back end. This is a very strong vintage here. Drink from 2023–2040.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: fresh, spicy bouquet, currants, cherries, various herbs. Silky, fine, fragrant palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, a subtly bourgeois structure, powerful aromatics, and a refined finish.

Fresh, spicy bouquet with blackcurrants, cherries, various herbs. Silky, fine, fragrant palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, a subtly bourgeois structure, powerful aromatics, and a refined finish. 17/20 2026 - 2042

91-92

Acquired in 2005 by the Castéja family, La Croix du Casse is located on the outskirts of Libourne. The only drawback is frost, so there will be no 2021 or 2022. Delicate and harmonious, the wine shows both density and freshness. Well structured, it deserves a bit of development, but it can already be enjoyed in its youth.

Beautiful deep red. Aromatic nose, fruity and slightly smoky. Tasty palate with a supple body, fruity aroma and a hint of oak. Pleasant overall, with medium body and length.