Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac 2016 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This cru classé is located on beautiful gravel terraces between Grand Puy Lacoste and Lynch-Bages. Jean Philippe Quié and his sister Anne-Françoise want to give it every chance, and there has been real progress since 2015, even if the 2016 doesn't show all the promise of the barrel tasting before bottling. A new vat room should help put this progress into practice once and for all.

Decanter

About the wine:

Once again, this is a vintage where Croizet Bages has progressed in quality - it's visible and deserves to be congratulated, as it remains an excellent value for money for a classified Pauillac. It needs time in the glass to open up, as it has an extremely rich tannic structure. It's a masculine style with a savory, solid, good-quality character that builds slowly but surely. Eric Boissenot is a consultant. 2024 - 2038

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Situated on the Bages plateau south of Pauillac, this cru, created by brothers Louis and Henri Croizet in the 18th century from small parcels, boasts 26 hectares of gravelly vineyards. Owned by the Quié family (Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux) since 1942, it is now run by Jean-Michel Quié and his children Anne-Françoise and Jean-Philippe.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2016 is a relatively soft wine, with a pleasant suavity on the palate. A Pauillac with an accessible profile and a smooth palate.

About the domain :

Like Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux, this cru belongs to the Quié family. It doesn't have the resources of the appellation's top wines, but can nevertheless prove tender and delicious in good vintages. In such cases, it represents a bargain for connoisseurs, thanks to very reasonable prices.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Croizet-Bages 2016 offers an open, engaging bouquet, a blend of red and black fruits interwoven with cedar and subtle mint. Oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is well balanced, with supple tannins matched by a fine touch of acidity. A little more "roundness" than its peers, thanks to a more expressive Merlot. A Croizet-Bages that "leaves the customer satisfied". 2022 - 2035

James Suckling

About the wine:

Lots of blackcurrant and hot stone character on the nose. Full, tannic palate with a mellow finish. Shows great structure. Very well made.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Purplish purple. Fruity bouquet of good intensity, revealing notes of licorice and raspberry. Notes of cedar. Fruity, refreshing attack. Well-balanced body with tannins in symbiosis with a lively structure. Fruity finish. Well done! 2022-2036

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, fruity and offers fine power and intensity. There are notes of fleshy/crisp wild strawberry, fleshy/crisp raspberry and, more lightly, blackberry, combined with small touches of blackcurrant, fresh blueberry and very discreet hints of gray pepper (in the background). Fruity, juicy and balanced on the palate, with good definition, fine juiciness, uprightness and a fine acidic structure. On the palate, notes of juicy/acidic red berries, juicy/acidic raspberry and, more lightly, blackberry are combined with a hint of cherry, fine hints of licorice stick and a very discreet touch of cardamom and vanilla. Good persistence with hints of almond and coffee.