Chateau La Croix Taillefer Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau La Croix Taillefer Pomerol with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on winemaking and vineyards. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux:Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau La Croix Taillefer History, Overview

The Riviere family had been slowly purchasing small parcels in Pomerol starting in 1977. So, when Chateau La Croix Taillefer was available from the Langlet-Rietsch family in 1994, they jumped at the chance to purchase the estate.

Once they took control of La Croix Taillefer, they started making considerable improvements to the vineyards and wine-making facilities, and cellars. In 2001, the estate changed how they were working in their vineyards and began using organic farming methods exclusively.

Chateau La Croix Taillefer was certified be Ecocert for being 100% organic in 2004. Today Romain Riviere is in charge of La Croix Taillefer. Romain Riviere learned about managing their vineyard and how to make wine while he trained at Chateau Ausone in St. Emilion under Alain Vauthier. Not a bad teacher.

When Riviere first took over the property, it was only 1.5 hectares in size. Since then, they have almost quadrupled the property to its now 5.5 hectares of vines.

Chateau La Croix Taillefer Vineyard, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 5.5 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau La Croix Taillefer is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard has old vines, some of which are close to 80 years of age. The terroir is mostly sand, with some deposits of iron. All work in the vineyard is 100% organic.

The wine of Chateau La Croix Taillefer is vinified in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine of Chateau La Croix Taillefer is then aged in as much as 80% new, French oak barrels for up to 18 months, depending on the character and quality of the vintage.

There is a second wine, Chateau Loubiere, which is aged in less new oak. Having a second wine at a property that produces at best, 500 cases of wine per vintage, says a lot about their desire and dedication to making the best wine possible.

The best vintages of Chateau La Croix Taillefer are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

When to Drink Chateau La Croix Taillefer, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Croix Taillefer can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau La Croix Taillefer is usually better with at least 3-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Croix Taillefer offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau La Croix Taillefer with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau La Croix Taillefer is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau La Croix Taillefer is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau La Croix Taillefer is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, and a myriad of hard and soft cheeses.