Château La Croix du Casse· Pomerol
About the domain.
La Croix du Casse belongs to the Castéja family, one of the old négociant names of Bordeaux, and it shows in the consistency. At nine hectares it is generous by Pomerol standards, sitting on gravel over clay and iron-rich subsoil on the southern edge of the appellation.
The wine is Merlot-led, with a little Cabernet Franc, raised in 40 to 50 percent new oak. It leans toward the supple, accessible side of Pomerol rather than the brooding, a wine that gives early without being slight.
I think of this as a Pomerol you can actually drink while you wait on the others. It is priced to be opened, not hoarded, and I keep it on the list for exactly that reason.
Supple, dark.
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry, truffle, velvet tannin. Accessible early.
Concentrated.
Dense Merlot on clay. Plum, chocolate, firm but polished tannin. Needs five to seven years.