Château
la Croix du Cassedécouvrir le vin

James Suckling : 95

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.

La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93

Jeff Leve : 91-92

James Suckling : 94-95

A ripe red with lots of ripe berries, chocolate and some almonds and walnut husks. It’s full and rich with chewy tannins that remain tense and balanced. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc.

8 May, 2020

Vinum : 15,5

Jane Anson Decanter : 90.

A lovely rich and supple Pomerol that manages to capture plenty of the essence of the appellation but still be an early to medium term drinker with welcoming tannins and plenty of supple but gourmet textured berry fruits – blackberry and black cherry are dominant, with chocolate shavings at every step. Impressive from the Philippe Castéja stable of wines.

Tasted on 20 May 2020.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16,5.

95 % de merlot et 5 % de cabernet franc composent l’assemblage de ce pomerol généreux, doté d’une finale menthée bien constituée. On est dans un charme immédiat parfaitement défini.

Markus del Monego MW : 93

Deep purple colour with violet hue and black core. Well balanced character with expressive nose, sweet plums, black cherries and cherry-stone, candied orange zest, discreet spiciness in the background. On the palate well balanced with ripe yet firm tannins, juicy fruit, black cherries and plums, hints of mulberries and slightly balmy spices. Well structured with convincing length.

Terre de Vins : 92

Nez intense, sur une note camphrée, eau-de-vie de prune, liqueur. Bel éclat de fruit noir, on attend un vin mûr, dense. Cela se confirme en bouche : concentration, matière sphérique, tanins un peu marquants, élevage subtilement toasté.

Neal Martin Vinous

The 2019 La Croix du Casse offers pleasant red cherry, raspberry and light forest floor scents on the nose. Not intense, but with good precision. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins on the entry, saline in the mouth with a peppery finish. It is missing a little grace but there is decent persistence. This Pomerol often meliorates with bottle age.

Jean-Marc Quarin : 15

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 92-94

Pure silk and velvet, this is one sexy Pomerol. The fruit is perfectly ripe, opulent, luscious and rich. Fresh, pure, and complex, with a plummy finish that doesn’t quit, this is the finest bottle of La Croix du Casse I have ever tasted.

Tasted Jun 13, 2020.

James Suckling : 90-91

A fruity and earthy young wine with medium fruit, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Floral, too.

3 Apr, 2019 

James Molesworth Wine Spectator: 89-92

This has a slightly woodsy edge, while the core of currant and bitter cherry notes tries to flesh out with air. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Issue: 2019. Barrel tasting.

Vinum : 15,5

Jane Anson Decanter : 90

This is one to look out for – a lovely early drinker with deep ruby concentration and toffee edged aromatics alongside sweet gentle red fruit brambled as it gathers weight through the palate. This is the result of extremely gentle vinification, with low temperatures of 26°C instead of the usual 28°C, and from sandy clay terroir near to Taillefer. A yield of 35hl/ha.

Tasted on 28 Mar 2019.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

2018 déjà très séducteur avec une bouche crémeuse et juteuse. Il évoluera parfaitement.

Jacques Dupont Le Point

 93% merlot, 7% cabernet franc. Fruits rouges, réglisse, dense, amer fin, bonne matière, profond, zan, merlot bien mûr, tanins veloutés.

Markus del Monego MW : 92

Dark purple red colour with violet hue and black core. Elegant nose with ripe plums and black cherries, hints of dark chocolate in the background. On the palate rich and opulent with ripe, sweet fruit, ripe tannins and good length.

Andrew Caillard MW

Medium deep crimson. Red cherry herb, slightly flinty graphite aromas. Well concentrated slightly sweet red cherry red plum fruits, some fine loosknit tannins and juicy aciidty. Very early days.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 89-91

Medium-bodied, floral and plummy, you’ll find a soft, silky mid-palate and a red cherry, licorice and plum finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc.

Apr 19, 2019.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 91

Juicy and fresh, featuring a mix of damson plum, raspberry and black currant fruit that melds with the singed alder, warm earth and dark tobacco notes. Shows a good tug of iron on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Issue : 2020.

James Suckling : 92

A delicious red with lots of crushed berries, cherries and chocolate, as well as orange-peel flavor. Medium to full body. Round, juicy tannins and a medium finish. A blend of 94% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Hard not to drink now. Delicious.

22 Dec, 2019

Lisa Perrotti-Brown The Wine Advocate : 89-91

Fifty percent of the vineyards for this wine were affected by frost this year. The 2017 La Croix du Casse, a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, is medium garnet-purple in color with a lovely nose of wilted roses and violets with touches of spice box and Provence herbs over a core of red currants and blackberries plus a waft of fertile loam. The palate is medium-bodied, soft and plush with a racy acid line lifting the floral-accented fruit on the finish.

Issue Date 27th Apr 2018.

Vinum : 15,5

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum

60 % du vignoble a gelé, le reste donne un vin aux rondeurs avenantes dominées par 94 % de merlot.

Jane Anson Decanter

La Croix du Casse was heavily affected by frost, demanding an extremely careful vinification to focus on the fruit expression. The tannins are soft and it lacks a little Pomerol typicity, but is very pretty, well made and enjoyable for medium-term drinking. From 9ha of clay in one block, sharing an owner with Taillefer.

Tasted on 09 Apr 2018.

Markus del Monego MW : 90

Purple red with slightly violet hue. Elegant nose with fine fruit, ripe red and dark berries and plums. On the palate elegant with discreet roasting notes, quite elegant and fine, tannins with silky character, good length.

Christer Byklum

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, light nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, light.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider

Blending 94% Merlot with 6% Cabernet Franc produced a wine that is medium bodied, focusing on chocolate-covered plums, a fruity mid-palate and a soft textured finish. Due to the frost, the estate lost 70% of their crop.

Apr 26, 2018.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 90

Features a mix of juicy plum and blackberry compote flavors, with woodsy tea, cedar and apple notes and a flash of licorice snap on the finish. Ends with an echo of slightly firm balsam, which is likely to outlast the fruit in the long run.

Issue : 2019.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 88-91

Lots of dried anise, blood orange and lightly mulled plum and cherry flavors bounce around, with a twinge of balsam wood lining the finish. Not as dense as the top wines, but fun fruit.

Issue: May 11, 2017.

James Suckling : 94

Fabulous aromas of subtle, ripe fruit with hazelnut and coffee undertones. Full-bodied, round and very silky with beautiful fruit and a gorgeous finish. Very sexy and exotic. Find this.

20 Jan, 2019

James Suckling : 93

This is layered and rich with beautiful texture and focus. Full body and flavors of dark berries and spices. Walnut and coffee undertones. Real energy here. Almost all merlot this year.

April 4, 2017.

Vinum : 16

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15,5

Dès le premier coup de nez on sent la maturité du vin avec des arômes de fruits noirs et de violette, que l’on retrouve dans une bouche aux tannins longs et enrobés.

Michael Schuster

Full but gentle, fresh, easy, juicy, sweet, fleshy, fine-textured and with a very nice length; not grand but this should be a delicious glass in just a few years.

2020–26.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 90

Salty, mineralesque tannins, medium bodied with sugar-glazed plums — bright, red and black — in a whisper finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption and it should be even better. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Apr 29, 2017.

Le Figaro Vin : 15,5

Petits fruits noirs, myrtille, mûre, pointe florale. Bouche ample, tannins un peu plus durs, petite finale asséchante.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15

Fruits rouges, tanins fins, souples, veloutés, note de poivre, juteux, gourmand, vin de plaisir.

18 mai 2017.

Andrew Caillard MW : 92

Medium deep colour. Fresh plum jam aromas with strawberry notes. Generous and supple with sweet plum, vanilla flavours, fine soft plentiful tannins. Finishes long and minerally with al dente cedar notes.

Revue du Vin de France : 15,5

 Suave et de bonne intensité, le vin se montre déjà disert, exhalant de riches parfums de fourrure et d’humus.

Neal Martin The Wine Advocate

Picked 10 October and 13 October from the Merlot and Cabernet Franc respectively, the 2016 La Croix du Casse has an intense bouquet with blackberry and boysenberry fruit that just needs to manifest a little more finesse. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry, decent fruit although I find that the 40% new oak (actually 50% in my barrel sample) does not quite meld with the tannins as well as I hoped and leaves the finish a little raw.

28th Apr 2017.

Guide Hachette

Issu d’un terroir sablo-graveleux, composé de merlot à 93 % et d’une pincée de cabernet franc, ce superbe 2016, à la robe profonde ornée de reflets violines, présente un nez intense de fruits confits, d’épices et de notes grillées. La bouche, ample et persistante, elle aussi centrée sur les fruits épicés, dévoile une chair enrobée, structurée par des tanins riches qui garantissent une heureuse évolution.

Jancis Robinson : 16,5

Very dark and intense crimson. Mild and sweet – pleasant balance. Fresh and sweet. Not intense and not the most ambitious but correct. Rather drying finish.

Date tasted 6 Apr 2016.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Friendly plum and boysenberry coulis notes glide through, flanked by hints of anise and violet. Offers a fine-grained, incense-infused finish.

Issue : 2018.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 88-91

Shows the profile of the vintage, with bright, juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit inlaid with ample but velvety tannins. Has heft but isn’t heavy. Solidly built.

Issue: Jun 30, 2016.

René Gabriel : 17

James Suckling : 95

Fabulous aromas of blackberries, black olives and black tea. Perfumed. Full-bodied yet so fine with poised tannins. Polished and beautiful. Stunning. 91% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. Best ever.

2 Feb, 2018

Vinum : 15

Powdery tannins, a compact, fresh structure, perceptible oak, enjoyable.

Decanter

A lighter Pomerol but well defined this year. Sweet Merlot (91%) but fresh and structured with line and length. The best yet from this sand- and gravel-based estate.

Tim Triptree MW Decanter : 95

Bright ruby with crimson tints. Appealing aromatics with bright red cherry and cassis and subtle toast and vanilla – intense flavours of black cherry and blackberry – fine tannin structure and vibrant acidity leading to a long refreshing finish.

Panel tasting, 02 Mar 2020.

Jane Anson Decanter : 94

Medium ruby colour, with appelling notes of cedar and woodsmoke on the nose. A little soft through the palate, but still enjoyable. Lacks a little impact, but this is an attractive wine.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15,5

La bouche gagne progressivement en distinction et en sensualité.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 90

Better in bottle than in barrel, you find licorice, plums and flowers quickly here. Medium bodied, with soft textures, the ends with a nice, fruity finish. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

May 21, 2018.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 88-90

With plum, licorice and floral scents, this wine is medium bodied, ending with fresh, black cherries and a surprise twist – a hint of mocha. Give this just a year or two of aging before consumption. The wine was produced from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Tasted Apr 27, 2016.

Le Figaro Vin : 15,5

Andrew Caillard MW : 92

Deep colour. Fresh dark berry redcurrant fruit with musky plum notes. Soupy textured wine with plenty of ripe fruit, chocolaty tannins and savoury oak complexity. Tightens up at the finish with fresh acidity. Minerally and expressive wine.

Markus del Monego : 90

Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. On the palate well structured with plums and black cherries. On the palate good weight, mature but firm tannins and good length.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15

Nez fruité, souple, rond délicat, frais, gourmand, tendu, élégant. Plus raffiné qu’autrefois.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Focused, with cherry paste and crushed boysenberry fruit flavors gliding along, offering hints of mocha, black tea and anise through the silky finish.

Issue: Jul 31, 2017.

René Gabriel : 16

James Suckling : 92

Bright and aromatic with plum and milk chocolate aromas that follow through to a medium body, ultra-fine tannins and an orange and citrus-peel undertone. Drink in 2020, but hard not to taste now.

13 Feb, 2017

Neal Martin The Wine Advocate

The Château La Croix de Casse 2014 is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked October 3-9. It has a pure bouquet, quite lifted and floral, the 40% new oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a powdery texture on the entry, a little attenuation coming toward the finish, an easy-drinking La Croix du Casse with a pleasant piquancy, but I find more to the Domaine de l’Eglise this year.

Issue Date: 30th Apr 2015.

Vinum : 15,5

Floral et fruité, tanins frais de moyenne densité.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15

Souple, rond, tannin délicat, on n’a pas recherché l’extraction et on a bien fait. Pomerol tendre et sans dureté.

Le Figaro Vin : 15

Un joli Pomerol bien structuré comme d’habitude. 92% de merlot, 8% de cabernet-franc.

Markus del Monego MW

Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black centre. Elegant nose with hints of dark berries, blackberries, also plums in the background. Hints of vanilla and mild spices. On the palate well structured with medium weight and rather good length, hints of liquorice in the finish.

Jacques Dupont Le Point

Fruits noirs, charnu, bien juteux, note fumée, bouche douce, épicée, très fruits noirs, poivre en finale.

René Gabriel : 15

James Suckling

A refined and delicate red with chocolate, berry and mineral. Medium body. Delicious finish. Drink now.

10 Feb, 2016 

James Suckling

A soft, silky wine with an iron, terracotta and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and juicy finish. Well done for the vintage.

8 Apr, 2014

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum

Le tannin s’est affiné depuis la dégustation des primeurs, on a désormais plus de finesse.

Le Figaro Vin : 15

Un joli vin suave, charmeur, fluide, du charme. 93% merlot, 7% cabernet-franc sur grave et sable.

Markus del Monego MW

Dark purple red with slightly garnet red hue. Elegant nose with ripe character, balmy spices, dark berries and hints of ripe plums. On the palate medium bodied with medium length, elegant and balanced finish with fine fruit.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

This has a gutsy edge to the bitter plum, currant paste and fig fruit, as lightly firm roasted cedar and alder notes form the frame and chestnut and tar accents fill in on the finish. Shows more guts than refinement in the end, with solid depth.

Issue: 2015.

René Gabriel : 17

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate : 90

Lots of underlying iron and earth notes dominate this dense ruby/purple wine, which also has plenty of cassis, black cherry and spice. It is chunky, masculine, medium to full-bodied and robust. It should benefit from several years of bottle age and last 15 or more.

Issue Date: 30th Apr 2015.

Vinum : 15

James Suckling : 90

Soft and silky red wine with coffee, vanilla, plum and cherry character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish.

 22 Feb, 2015

James Lawther MW Decanter : 15

Open and forward in style but well-crafted. Attractive fruit and fine, powdery tannins.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider

Blending 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc produced a light, ruby-colored Pomerol with raspberry and earthy notes that ends with a dusty, tart cherry finish.

Apr 26, 2013.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15,5

Fruits noirs, bouche ronde, fondue, assez fraîche, petits tanins vifs et croquants, élégant, tendu.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Delivers a direct core of plum and boysenberry fruit, spiked with anise, balsa wood and sweet spice notes. This has fleshed out after showing a leaner profile in barrel.

Issue: 2014.

René Gabriel : 17

James Suckling

Firm and silky with a lovely texture, I like the milk-chocolate, berry and walnut character to this wine. Medium to full body. Better in 2016.

18 Feb, 2014

James Suckling

Floral and fruity with a subtle blackberry and chocolate undertone. Full to medium body with polished velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Very pretty. Little short. 93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc.
31 Mar, 2012

Guide Hachette * Un cru de 9,5 ha, situé à la pointe sud du plateau de Pomerol, acquis en 2005 par la vénérable maison de négoce Borie-Manoux, fondée en 1870 et dirigée par Philippe Castéja. Après 18 mois passes en barriques neuves (20%) et en fût d’un vin, ce pomerol offre un bouquet naissant et élégant de fruits mûrs mâtinés d’un boisé léger. Une attaque crémeuse ouvre sur un palais ample, concentré, gras, bien structuré, et long. Un pomerol prometteur et bien typé.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate: Smoky, oaky notes intermingled with hints of licorice, caramel and black cherries emerge from this light to medium-bodied, attractive Pomerol. It is best consumed over the near term.

Issue Date: 26th Apr 2012.

Neal Martin Wine Journal

Tasted twice at Batailley and the Syndicate de Pomerol. The La Croix du Casse is a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc cropped at 34hl/ha. It has a generous bouquet with macerated dark cherries, fresh strawberries and a touch of crème de cassis. With time, there are attractive notes of orange blossom that begin to emerge. The palate has a succulent entry with low acidity. It is very smooth and harmonious with a caressing with a touch of spice lingering on the finish. A fine effort, but missing a little complexity.

Tasted April 2012.

Vinum : 15

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Le vin a de la profondeur et une belle structure. Du fond.

Jacques Dupont Le Point

Nez chocolat, fruits noirs, bouche ronde, note de moka, grillé, déjà agréable.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 91

A slightly traditional style, offering singed sandalwood and balsa wood notes, with black tea and bergamot flavors up front, followed by gentle plum and cassis fruit. The lightly smoky finish hangs on well, with a fine-grained but lightly firm structure.

Issue: Mar 31, 2013.

René Gabriel : 17

James Suckling : 92

Nice fruity nose with blueberries, plums and ripe strawberries. Opens up with some chocolate and cedar. Full and velvety with a nice juicy acidity, pretty fruit and fine tannins. I really like the fruit and hazelnut combination on the finish. Better in 2017.

16 Feb, 2013

James Suckling : 89-90

Attractive with berry, chocolate and plum on the nose and palate. Full and velvety, perhaps a little hollow in the center palate now. But pretty. 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc.

19 Apr, 2011

Neal Martin Wine Journal : 89-91

Vinum : 15,5

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15,5

Nez profond, tanin encore un peu austère mais il y a une jolie matière derrière, il devrait bien évoluer.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider

Soft, round, approachable, easy to like and even easier to drink, the medium bodied wine serves up fresh plum, dark cherry and espresso notes.

May 19, 2014.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 14,5

Fruits rouges, bouche ronde, souple, tendre, frais, gourmand.

Bernard Burtschy Le Figaro : Le château qui avait appartenu au regretté Jean-Michel Arcaute a été acheté en 2005 par Philippe Castéja , propriétaire de Borie- Manoux et de crus classés comme Batailley à Pauillac. Le 9 ha sont situés sur des terroirs de graves et de sables anciens. Ils engendrent un vin assez robuste avec un beau potentiel de vieillissement. 2010 est une belle réussite et fera date dans l’histoire du cru.

Wine Spectator : 92

This broad-shouldered red is thick and dense, with mouthfilling tannins supporting rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, plum, raisin and earth. Shows impressive girth. Best from 2014 through 2022. 4,000 cases made. — TM.

Issue: Mar 31, 2012.

Rene Gabriel : 17

James Suckling : 93

Wonderful aromas of black truffles and dark fruit follow through full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Intense finish. Needs at least four to five years to soften.

2 Mar, 2012 

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate : 90

Purchased by Philippe Casteja in 2005, this estate has jumped significantly in quality. It is not in one of the best sectors of Pomerol, located on the lower slopes off the plateau on sandy and clay soils near Taillefer. This blend of 93% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc offers up notes of coffee beans, chocolate, Asian plum sauce and mocha. A sexy, full-throttle wine with low acidity and loads of fruit, it should drink nicely for 12-15+ years.

Issue Date: 23rd Dec 2011.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16,5

Ce vin caressant attaque tout en rondeurs, les tannins sont pulpeux et sphériques, jolie gourmandise.

Bettane & Dessauve Le Palmarès

Les notes très mûres au nez, de fruits rouges macérés, se confirment en bouche : ce pomerol classique, aux tanins un peu fermes, déborde de générosité. Du fruit, du style et de jolies saveurs ponctuent une trame qui manque cependant quelque peu de nuances.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 90

From a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, the wine opens with licorice, juicy plums, black cherry, cocoa and vanilla. Plush in texture, with an open personality, this medium bodied Pomerol wine is not going to make old bones. I’d drink this over the next decade. La Croix du Casse remains one of the better value Bordeaux wines from Pomerol.

Jul 4, 2012.

Anthocyanes

Ce 2009 exhale des notes de cerise, de prune, de tabac et de cèdre. De la générosité en bouche avec une certaine sucrosité, une trame tannique abondante mais pas dérangeante et une finale persistante sur le fruit. Un joli vin qu’il conviendra d’attendre encore 10 à 15 ans.

Neal Martin Wine Journal : 90-92

Revue du Vin de France : 15,5

Le cru renoue avec la réussite du 1989. Il dévoile un velouté équilibré, toujours sur des notes beurrées, de la chair et du style. La “rétro” s’exprime sur la truffe.

(Sept.2011)

René Gabriel : 15-16

Philip Dyna : 15.5-15.75

Revue du Vin de France : 15.5-15.75

Jean-Marc Quarin : 15.5-15.75

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider

Ready to drink, medium-bodied, classic styled Pomerol with an earthy, truffle, plum, thyme filled nose. Firm on the palate with a straight-forward plummy finish. Tasted Sep 9, 2020.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15.5

Nez bien exprimé de fruits noirs, menthole, bouche fraîche, vive, tendue, acidité marquée, joli fruit, bonne longueur, très fin, rond.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum

Vin souple et facile à boire, offrant une bonne maturité de fruit et un caractère pomerol certain.

James Suckling Wine Spectator

Pretty coffee and berry aromas lead to a medium body, with fine tannins and a delicately fruity finish.

Issue: Mar 31, 2010.

René Gabriel : 16-17

Vinum

Puissant, compact, fruité, avec une finale quelque peu dure, sur des notes d’herbes fraîches.

Jacques Dupont : 15,5

Le Figaro Vin

Un Pomerol suave et tendre, très différent de l’anguleux 2006, avec un support tannique encore présent, mais qui se fond.

Christer Byklum Tasting Book

Deep ruby. Vanilla, slightly dry wood and rustic behind blueberries, leather and black tea. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Over- oaked but most got rounded off after twenty minutes decanting. Has potential, and this is the only vintange I’ve tasted from this property. Good length.

Revue du Vin de France : 15

 Nez élégant, fruit mûr et boisé assez appuyé ; bouche charnue, aromatique, finement tannique et équilibrée.

Revue du Vin de France : 15

De la consistance en bouche, avec une matière de belle ampleur pour le millésime. Boisé élégant, présent, mais finement toasté. Allonge en finale pour ce pomerol séducteur et bien fait.

Jaques Dupont Le Point : 15-15,5

Nez fruits noirs, poivré, réglissé, bouche gourmande, du volume, onctueux ; vin simple mais bien rond, gourmand, très pomerol.

Guide Hachette : **

Les domaines Borie-Manoux, dirigés par Philippe Castéja, exploitent deux jolis vignobles à Pomerol, presque exclusivement plantés en merlot, sur les sables graveleux. Une nette préférence se dessine pour ce cru distingué pour son beau rubis foncé et son nez très vivant, où le fruit s’exprime bien, simplement accompagné par un fin boisé. La chair fraîche, croquante, goûteuse, est soutenue par d’élégants tanins cacaotés.

Gault & Millau : 16

Arômes généreux de fruits rouges frais et de vanille confirmés en bouche, avec de la rondeur, de la suavité. Les tanins sont déjà bien fondus et on trouve des épices dans une belle persistance.

James Suckling Wine Spectator

Shows plum and milk chocolate aromas, with a hint of cedar. Medium-bodied, with delicious fruit, light tannins and a medium finish. A little dilute, but pleasing. Drink early.

Issue: Mar 31, 2009.

René Gabriel : 17

Neal Martin Wine Journal : 90

Neal Martin The Wine Advocate

Tasted at the château, the 2006 La Croix du Casse was a wine that I described as a dark horse when I last tasted it in 2010. Six years later it retains an attractive bouquet with cola-tinged red berry fruit, a touch of truffle in the background. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, plenty of ferrous red berry fruit with crisp acidity, tangy orange peel and bay leaf/dried herbs notes furnishing the finish, which has become a little drier in recent years, but is still pleasurable. Enjoy this Pomerol over the next 6-8 years.

Tasted May 2016.

Richard Hemming MW Jancis Robinson : 16.5

Earth, black cherry, high acid – palate doesn’t quite (yet?) deliver the fragrant breadth of the nose. Still pretty good for the price.

Date tasted: 4 May 2011.

James Suckling : 92

A pretty red with black-truffle and dark-fruit aromas that follow through to a full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lovely now and holding on nicely.

20 Jan, 2019.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15

Riche, ample, tannin sans finesse mais on apprécie la générosité du corps.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider : 90

Ripe, soft, fresh, energetic wine with a plummy, truffle and licorice charm, that males you want to discover what’s buried below the plums and dark chocolate. This is drinking quite nicely today.

Dec 17, 2017.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15,5

Cerise, frais, rond, tendre, souple, bien gourmand, frais, long. Tanins virils en finale mais bien fondus en première séquence, fruits noirs, chocolaté.

Revue du Vin de France

Au delà d’un discours aromatique convenu d’un boisé très « années 80 », sa structure ferme et droite permettra à ce pomerol de se réaliser d’ici huit ans.

James Suckling Wine Spectator : 92

Dark in color, with impressively rich aromas of blackberry, cigar tobacco, licorice and spice. Full-bodied, with round, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Very well done for this producer.

Issue: Mar 31, 2008.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate

A strong effort from La Croix du Casse, with dense mulberry and black cherry fruit as well as some licorice, underbrush and spice, this wine has a dense ruby/purple color, a big, beefy mouthfeel, and moderate tannin. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

Issue Date: 29th Jun 2015.

René Gabriel : 17

Jancis Robinson : 15

A bit sour and green on the nose but plush and rich on the mid palate. Very dry tannins – hard work!

Date tasted 17 Apr 2006.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Bonne réussite pour le second cru de la famille Castéja (le plus prestigieux étant le Château du Domaine de l’Église) dans ce millésime : le vin est très complet, ample et velouté, finement construit mais profond. C’est certainement le meilleur Croix du Casse que nous ayons jamais dégusté.

Revue du Vin de France

Premier millésime de la famille Castéja, arrivée pour ces vendanges 2005. Nez évolué et sauvage, bouche crémeuse, franche, déjà ouverte sur la prune et le moka.

Revue du Vin de France : 16

Très belle matière et bouche séductrice, des tanins moelleux et de la longueur. Un vin de style concentré et riche doté d’un élevage de qualité. A suivre.

Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider

With red plum, earth, herb and cocoa notes, this soft, easy drinking, medium bodied wine is already giving what it has to offer.

Jul 22, 2013.