Château Vray Croix de Gay 2022

Warm and seductive in feel, with steeped blackberry and melted licorice notes rolling through with a caressing structure and a perfumed finish redolent of black tea and alder. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 833 cases made.

Quite herbal and darkly savoury on the nose, dark chocolate and liquorice elements with bramble fruit – this smells serious and concentrated, sticky sweet with hints of dates. Juicy and friendly on the palate initially – the Merlot has a certain plushness in the mouth with the tannins giving a small bounce and cushioning to the palate with some hints of sweet strawberry jam giving the playful appeal. Then the serious concentrated side kicks in with liquorice, wet stone and clove that edges the frame and gives the spiced definition and freshness from the mid palate onwards. Still a hefty, broad wine, just narrowed into a sleek line right now. The wine was presented within the Calon-Segur stable with Vincent Maillet overseeing production. 3.85pH. A yield of 28hl/ha. Ageing 18 months, 30% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant. Harvest 5 September - 22 September. Tasted twice. HVE certified.

The 2022 Vray Croix de Gay is soft, open-knit and gracious. I found it much more expressive en primeur. Ripe dark cherry, mocha, spice, new leather and floral overtones build nicely. It will be interesting if the 2022 shows more of that stylish charm and depth I saw in the barrel samples with more time in bottle.

Sporting a new label and matching wax capsule, the wine kicks off with an equally showy display of flowers, licorice, cherry liqueur, spice, and cocoa. The medium-bodied palate is supple, creamy, refined, soft, and fruity. There is a slight touch of oak remaining that I expect will be fully absorbed into the wine shortly. The sensuous, silky finish, with its layers of sweet, ripe, soft cherries, plums, and wet earth, along with a judicious touch of powdered cocoa at the back of the finish, hits everything just right. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. This is the first vintage from the team that also owns Calon Segur. Drink from 2026-2042.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. An inviting bouquet of fresh sweet red cherries, wild red berry fruit, hints of orange zest. Medium-bodied, red cherries, subtle hints of cloves, fresh acidity, mineral and approachable, a finesse food wine.

Good quality, supple tannins, easy to approach with the telltale silkiness of Pomerol tannins and plenty of ripe berry fruits, easy to recommend. 28 hl/ha yields, harvest from September 5 to 22, with a big gap between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Vincent Dupuch, director, overseeing this as well as their Left Bank estates. A new cellar will open in 2026, now that vinification has been brought into Pomerol from Siaurac where it was previously carried out. 30% new oak, with a few amphoras.

Penetrating blue fruits on the nose, with an icy freshness, carried by delicate violet notes. The palate is fine, flavorful, and creamy, with caramel and terracotta accents on the finish that make you want to lick the inside of your mouth.

Vray Croix de Gay reveals itself with finesse, subtlety and precision. It shows floral and menthol notes followed by black berries. On the palate, the wine is dense and moreish. Like the bouquet, it stands out for its finesse and its linear character. It unfolds in one stroke, seamlessly, from the attack through to the finish. Supported by smooth tannins, it shines with harmony, elegance and freshness.

Beautiful deep, vibrant red. Moderately intense nose with fresh, vanilla-tinged fruit. Juicy on entry and immediately supported by a lovely texture, the wine develops with a delicate richness and creaminess. It’s in the final third of the palate that it becomes more "Pomerol-like", generous, fragrant and without any harsh tannic edge.

With 90% Merlot, the wine exudes violet, followed by blackcurrant, gingerbread and toasted notes. This richness carries through on the palate, with a silky texture, luscious tannins and liquorice flavours. Only a third aged in new oak barrels to preserve its vibrant fruit. Very long.

A big, rich wine from a small Pomerol property. It is lightly structured, dominated by juicy ripe tannins and succulent black fruits. The wine, with its ripe black fruit aroma, will be ready from 2027.