Chateau Vray Croix de Gay Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay History, Overview

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay dates back to the end of the 19th century when it was formed by Joseph Brisson. The first parcel purchased by Brisson was the plot known as Domaine des Grands Champs.

During the estate’s formative years, the chateau used a different spelling for their wine labels, selling the wine under the name Vraye Croix de Gay. Note the extra “e” in Vraye, which was later changed to just Vray by the 1970s.

For a period of time, the sales and winemaking of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay were handled by Ets. Moueix under an arrangement that ended in 2005. Since then, his descendants Aline and Paul Goldschmidt took over managing the Right Bank property.

Once Paul Goldschmidt and Aline Goldschmidt began managing Chateau Vray Croix de Gay, one of the first things he did was replant more than half of their Pomerol vineyards.

Their next step was to hire Stephane Derenoncourt as their consultant. Following the departure of Derenoncourt, they brought in Dr. Alain Raynaud as their consultant. Since 2014, Alain Raynaud was also no longer working with the estate. Stephane Derenoncourt departed a few years later.

The Goldschmidt family owned two other properties, Chateau Siaurac, which is located in Lalande de Pomerol, and Chateau Le Prieure in the St. Emilion appellation. However, that all changed in March 2014 when the Goldschmidt family sold a large percentage of their holdings to the owner of Chateau Latour, Francois Pinault, and the Artemis group.

In 2017, Artemis assumed total control of all three vineyards. 3 years later in September 2020, Suravenir Insurance, the owners of Chateau Calon Segur in St. Estephe purchased Chateau Vray Croix de Gay along with Chateau Le Pireurie in St. Emilion and Chateau Siaurac in Lalande de Pomerol.

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 3.67 hectare Pomerol vineyard of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay is planted to 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. At one point, some Cabernet Sauvignon was planted, but those vines were ripped out. It is the goal of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay to increase the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyards.

The terroir gravel and clay with deposits of iron in the soil. The vines are old, at an average age of 43 years. Since 2008, the vineyard has practiced only sustainable farming management. Starting with the 2016 vintage, Chateau Vray Croix de Gaye began using only 100% organic and biodynamic farming techniques.

The vineyard is basically two main blocks that is split into 8 parcels. They have vines planted close to Chateau La Fleur Petrus and Chateau Le Gay with the other section planted not far from Trotanoy. They have slopes that rise to 36 meters at their peak.

Vinification of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay has historically taken place at Chateau Siaurac, their estate in Lalande de Pomerol, on the border of Pomerol. However, that is expected to change in 2020, due to the appellation laws of Pomerol. The wines are vinified in a combination of 3, 50 hectoliter concrete vats and 2, 50 hectoliter stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes in barrel and vat, evenly split.

The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak for between 14 and 18 months. The length of barrel aging varies on the character and style of the vintage. There is a second wine, L’Enchanteur Vray Croix de Gay. The average annual production of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay is about 1,100 cases.

The best vintages of Chateau Vray Croix de Gay are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005 and 2000.

Pomerol, due to its small size, high quality, and unique style is prized by wine lovers all over the world, and for that reason, they are always expensive.

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay represents one of the best values in the Pomerol appellation. It offers quality at a fair price and it’s drinkable at a young age. Since 2005, this early drinking Pomerol has shown improvement. 2009 Chateau Vray Croix de Gay is the best wine made by the estate yet.

When to Drink Chateau Vray Croix de Gay, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay can be enjoyed on the young side with an hour or so of decanting. However, the wine is usually better at 5-10 years of bottle age.

Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. In the best years, the wine will best between 10-18 years of age after the vintage. Young vintages of Vray Croix de Gay can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours 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.

Serving Chateau Vray Croix de Gay with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

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

Chateau Vray Croix de Gay is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Vray Croix de Gay is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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