Stamped Cru Bourgeois, the Château De La Croix 2021 expresses the soul of the Médoc with poise and honesty. Behind this label, the Francisco family produces a balanced red where the structure of Cabernet meets the flesh of Merlot to deliver a clear, tasty and decidedly modern tasting experience. The bouquet opens on ripe red fruits, led by cherries and raspberries, then evolves into a broad texture vibrant with spice, supported by fine, delicate tannins. No showiness, just a precise style calibrated for fine tables where food and wine converse. This vintage presents generous material, measured freshness and an elegant oak touch serving immediate pleasure. A Médoc that reassures by its precision and charms by its character, suited to everyday gastronomy as well as more formal occasions.

Assemblage et vinification

The aromatic and textural construction of this cuvée is based on a classic Médoc blend, with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Fermentation takes place after a 12-day maceration, aimed at preserving fruit brightness and achieving a controlled extraction of tannins. The malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously in oak barrels, promoting suppleness and overall harmony. The ageing, a key element of the wine’s signature, continues for 15 months on fine lees in oak barrels, adding dimension without weighing down the structure. This winemaking approach favours precision, clarity and persistence, producing a rich, tannic red held together by a fruity energy that calls for the table.

Notes de dégustation

• Colour : Deep and clear with a satiny sheen, it signals concentrated material and a serious expression true to Médoc elegance.
• Nose : Distinct and clean, opening on aromas of cherries and ripe raspberries, with a discreet spicy nuance that complements the fruit without overpowering it.
• Palate : Full and generous, it delivers an explosion of red fruits lifted by spice, framed by fine, delicate tannins that provide an elegant structure and a sense of balance.

Température de service et conseils

Serve Château De La Croix 2021 at 16–18°C to preserve the fruity expression and the suppleness of the tannins. For careful service, it is advisable to open the bottle a few minutes beforehand to let the bouquet develop. Store away from light and temperature fluctuations, bottle laid on its side if cellaring. This vintage is ideally enjoyed within five years of the harvest, when the harmony between fruit, spice and oak is at its most attractive.

Accords mets et vin

• Appetisers : Comté gougères, duck rillettes, toasts with black olive tapenade.
• Starters : country terrine, pâté en croûte, warm gizzard salad.
• Main courses : beef bourguignon, marinated beef skewers, herb-grilled rib steak, roast duck breast.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Cantal 'entre-deux', mountain tomme.
• Desserts : dark chocolate fondant, pears poached in cocoa, lightly sweetened cocoa-hazelnut crumble.

Moments de dégustation

Château De La Croix 2021 is the preferred companion for warm tables and chosen moments, when you seek a wine that is precise, tasty and elegant.

• For a gourmet dinner where the wine’s precision serves bold cuisine.
• At a Sunday family meal around a shared slow-cooked dish.
• As a gift for an enthusiast who appreciates fine wines with an outstanding pleasure-elegance ratio.

Caractéristiques

• Name : Château De La Croix 2021, Cru Bourgeois
• Appellation : Médoc AOP
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2021
• Grape varieties : Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 45%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 1%
• Alcohol : 13.5%
• Ageing : 15 months on fine lees in oak barrels
• Size : 75 cl
• Cellaring : ideally within 5 years of the vintage
• Serving temperature : 16–18°C