A "First Growth" terroirs
The vineyard of Château La Croix de Gay extends 4 hectares. The 10 parcels are distributed in 3 sectors and 2 particular types of terroirs of pomerol are represented to parity, the “graves du Günz” of the high terrace with a level of particles which varies from high to fine and the “graves mindéliennes”. These terroirs, geologically different with distinct soil characters provide the grape varieties merlot and cabernet franc of synergistic and complementary characters participating in the complexity of the final assembly of the wine of château La Croix de Gay.
The high terrace of Pomerol : The earth of the blend
The plots of Pignon, the Cour des Poules, the Toubibs, La Galère are “graves du Günz” from the high terrace of Pomerol (dating from the first ice age of the Quaternary era between -1.3 and -1.1 million years (Pleistocene)). The vines are based on a 3 metres thick gravelly coat of high sized particles laying on a clay undersoil. Located between Châteaux Rouget and Le Gay, along the path of the father Trémolière, this terroir with « aptitudes viticoles exceptionnelles » (exceptional wine-growing capacities) is the heart of the assemblage of the wine of château La Croix de Gay 1.
The southern erosion hillside of the high terrace of Pomerol
The two small plots of Catusseau, neighboring château Nénin, are based on a less thick gravel mantle of smaller particle size than the plots of Pignon. In the “assemblage” of the wine of château La Croix de Gay they represent the southern erosion hillside of the high terrace of Pomerol. « Ces terroirs de graves ne le cèdent que de fort peu à ceux de la haute terrasse » (These terroirs of graves soil only give in very little to those of the high terrace) 2.
The immediate charm of the "graves mindeliennes"
Plots of the Garde Champetre, L’échange Sudrat, L’achat Cubilier, Les vieux Merlots are fines « graves mindéliennes » from the Quaternary era
between-700 000 and -220 000. These plots orientated to the south along the stream of “mauvais temps” (such as the “Château” le ¨Pin) are « des terroirs viticoles de qualité » (quality terroirs) 2. The assemblage of the wine of château La Croix de Gay draw in from these terroirs their immediate charm and accessibility at any stage of aging.
Buvez le quand ça vous chante! Demain, sans regret de ne pas le garder comme dans dix ans. » 3
(…,if we have selected this pomerol, it’s first for the pleasure it provides at every age. Already very nice just bottled, it will continue to be during at least ten years. Therefore it correspond fully to the idea of the pomerol wine : beautiful deep color, bouquet of ripe plum, a wooded flattering and harmonious, and above all this roundness and flavor of the beautifully ripe merlot grapes whose silky tanins melt in mouth. It’s pure pleasure.
Drink it when you want! Tomorrow without regret not keeping it or in ten years.)
- Cocks Ch et Feret Ed. Bordeaux et ses vins. 11me édition. Bordeaux : Féret et fils éditeurs, 1929. p 740.
- Enjalbert H. Les grands vins de Saint-Emilion, Pomerol et Fronsac. Paris : Editions Bardi, 1983. La « géomorphologie de destruction » et les terrasses, p 121-144
- Jean-Pierre Peyroulou, Bernard Burtschy, Mathilde Hulot. L’année du vin. Calmant-Lévy, 1997. p 28.
