Château La Croix du Casse 2022

Of a particularly fruity, fleshy style, with powdery, well-integrated tannins and well-balanced alcohol; the confirmation of its class.

At 15.5% alcohol, this won't be for the faint-hearted, although it comes across less as heat and more as a ripe, opulent fruit profile with a slightly constricted finish. Tannins melt into the sides of the mouth and it has a smooth feel, but it lacks a touch more acidity and vibrancy.

The 2022 La Croix du Casse has a light, pretty black cherry nose with less of the prune element that I noticed en primeur. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins, black plum fruit and some dryness on the finish. This is early drinking.

Flowers, cherries, and spice pop on the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with a core of elegant, soft, round, polished, vibrant fruits with a chocolate edge on the back end. I like the softness, lift, and refinement here, as well as the powdered chocolate on the finish. The wine blends 97% Merlot with 3% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025–2042.

Opulent bouquet, dried rosemary, lilac blossoms and blueberry juice. On the generous palate, a creamy texture with a tight, cocoa-like tannin framework and a well-trained body. In the focused, aromatic finish, blueberry jelly, licorice and a floury astringency. Top performance this year.

Pomerol really is the centre of hedonism in 2022, and here again you’ll find a richly concentrated wine, with fully ripe fruits that verge on overripe. Plenty of tannic density to bring balance, and this is good quality.

Marked by notes of black berries and menthol hints, the bouquet of La Croix du Casse announces an elegant, harmonious wine. This is immediately confirmed by the silky attack. It paves the way for a suave, inviting wine supported by perfectly integrated tannins, while freshness is ensured by delicate bitters. A wine already accessible, to be enjoyed in its youth.

A very delicate nose, quite floral, almost maritime, suggesting a lovely interpretation of the vintage. On the palate, the juice is supple and finely shaped, showing good, very Pomerol-like ripeness, with fine dark-chocolate bitterness over candied cherry, dark tobacco, and a truffled promise.