Wines Pomerol Château La Croix de Gay - 2009

Viniou Reviews

Château La Croix de Gay 2009 is an emblematic red wine from the Pomerol appellation, nestled in the prestigious Libournais subregion of Bordeaux. Crafted predominantly from Merlot, complemented by a touch of Cabernet Franc, this vintage showcases the essence of the 2009 growing season, renowned for its warm, generous weather resulting in ripe, opulent fruit. The terroir of La Croix de Gay is marked by its gravelly soils with patches of clay, contributing a seamless balance of richness and finesse to the wine. Traditional vinification methods, with careful extraction and patient barrel ageing, yield a wine suffused with dark plum and blackberry, hints of truffle, mocha, and velvety tannins that are beautifully integrated after more than a decade in bottle.

Pomerol, though small in size, boasts a world-class reputation, owed much to its unique terroir and absence of official classification, allowing producers like Château La Croix de Gay to shine on the merits of their craft. The region’s temperate oceanic climate moderates the ripening process, imparting both generosity and elegance to its wines. The soils, a complex mosaic of gravel, clay, and sand, are perfect for Merlot, providing power, depth, and a trademark silkiness especially vivid in the 2009 vintage, considered among the best of the past two decades.

With its supple tannins, expressive fruit and savoury undertones, this Pomerol is an outstanding companion to classic French cuisine. It excels alongside beef tournedos with truffle sauce, magret de canard, or a rustic lamb stew such as navarin. For a regional pairing, try it with confit de canard or cèpes sautés. Mature hard cheeses, like Comté or aged Saint-Nectaire, will also complement its texture and complexity.

For optimal enjoyment, open the bottle one to two hours before service and decant if possible. Serve at 16-18°C to allow the full spectrum of aromas and flavours to emerge gracefully as the wine gently evolves in the glass.