2018 La Croix du Casse
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Tasting notes
The 2018 La Croix du Casse has an almost identical bouquet compared to the one I tasted from barrel, offering satisfying red plum and crushed strawberry scents and just a faint touch of hickory in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with less flesh than I noted from barrel. It has firmed up, the fruit now darker (truffle- and tobacco-infused blackberry) and a touch of dark chocolate emerging toward the finish. There is a pleasant bitter tang on the aftertaste. I suggested that this Pomerol from the Castèja family stable would be an early drinker; however, based on this showing, I suggest 3–4 years in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Soft, elegant, silky, sweet red fruits and flowers define the wine. There is good lift, energy and refinement in the juicy, earthy red berries on the mid-palate and in the finish. The wine blends 93% Merlot with 7% Cabernet Franc.
Aromas of dried currants, blackberries, violets, licorice and chocolate orange. Some vanilla, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Fantastic concentration and depth of fruit. Try from 2025.
The 2018 La Croix du Casse has plenty of red plum and crushed strawberry fruit on the nose. This is forward and open. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannin. Fleshy and generous with dark chocolate tinged red fruit on the finish, I can imagine this being lovely to drink in its youth.