Wines Pauillac Château Croizet-Bages - 2020

Château Croizet-Bages 2020 is an emblematic red wine from Pauillac, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated appellations, located on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary. As is traditional for the Médoc, this wine is crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and hints of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, resulting in a structured and age-worthy blend. The 2020 vintage marks a year of both warmth and balance, with grape ripening fostered by an early, dry summer and beneficial late-season rainfall. After careful manual harvest and sorting, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, followed by eighteen months’ maturation in French oak barriques, a portion new, lending finesse and complexity.

Pauillac is often considered the heart of the Médoc, renowned for its well-draining gravel soils over layers of limestone and clay which force the vines to dig deep, producing wines of great depth, longevity, and character. The temperate Atlantic climate, tempered by breezes from the river and the ocean, encourages gradual ripening and preserves vital acidity and aromatic freshness. The history of Château Croizet-Bages stretches back to the 18th century, and it stands as a Fifth Growth in the influential 1855 Bordeaux Classification, bearing testimony to its longstanding commitment to quality.

The full-bodied, powerful yet refined nature of this Pauillac makes it an ideal companion for savoury meats such as roast lamb with herbs, grilled rib of beef, or duck breast with a red wine reduction. Classic regional pairings include entrecôte à la Bordelaise or, for a local touch, Pauillac lamb, whose delicate flavour matches the structure and tannins of the wine. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Cantal also make an excellent accompaniment.

For optimal appreciation, decant the wine at least one hour before serving to open up its nose of cassis, cedar, graphite and subtle spice. Serve at a temperature between 16 and 18°C to allow its layers and velvety tannins to unfold fully. This 2020 Pauillac is enjoyable now with aeration, but will richly reward cellaring over the next ten to fifteen years.