Wines Pomerol Château La Croix de Gay - 2018

Viniou Reviews

Château La Croix de Gay 2018 is a distinguished red from the prestigious Pomerol appellation, nestled in Bordeaux's Right Bank subregion of Libournais. Composed predominantly of Merlot, with a smaller proportion of Cabernet Franc, this wine epitomises the lush and opulent style for which Pomerol is renowned. The 2018 vintage is characteristically generous, benefitting from a warm and largely dry growing season that produced ripe, concentrated fruit with supple tannins and well-integrated structure. Vinification at the estate focuses on gentle extraction and ageing in French oak barrels, which imparts subtle spice and creamy texture without overwhelming the natural fruit.

Pomerol, although one of Bordeaux's smallest appellations, enjoys an almost mythical status among wine lovers. The terroir is unique, composed of rich clay and gravel soils that retain sufficient moisture to nourish the vines through hot summers, while the proximity to the Isle River moderates extremes of temperature. This combination favours Merlot, permitting it to ripen fully and develop its hallmark plushness and aromatic depth. Historically, estates like Château La Croix de Gay have built their reputation on small-scale, attentive viticulture, resulting in wines that are both nuanced and expressive of place.

For food pairings, this Pomerol's velvety texture and dark fruit notes—the likes of black cherry, plum and subtle truffle—make it a superb match for classic French dishes such as duck confit, beef tournedos with wild mushrooms, or roast lamb with garlic and rosemary. Truffled potato gratin, game birds, or a simple platter of aged Comté or Ossau-Iraty cheeses will further accentuate its earthy complexity.

To fully appreciate this wine's generous fruit and layered finesse, serve at around 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour before tasting is recommended, especially in its youthful phase, to allow the aromas and tannins to settle and reveal their full charm. This is a wine that can age gracefully, but is already compelling to drink now.