Chateau La Croizille St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau La Croizille History, Overview

The owners of Chateau Croizille, the de Schepper family got their start in the wine business in, when they formed a family company to produce liqueur and spirits in Belgium in 1938. They made their first purchase in Bordeaux in 1950, when they took control of Chateau Tour Baladoz, Next, they expanded their holdings with the purchase of Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere in the Margaux appellation.

In 1970, they formed a negociant company, De Mour and Sons. And in 1996, they added to their holdings in the Right Bank when they acquired Chateau La Croizille. A family company, today, Olivier DeSchepper is in charge of most of the aspects of the business.

Chateau La Croizille Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 5-hectare vineyard of La Croizille is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The terroir is a mixture of red and blue clay over limestone. The vineyard, in one solid block of vines, rises to close to 70 meters at its peak elevation. The vineyard is planted to a density of 6,100 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are old, at close to 35 years of age.

As for the vineyard plantings, the blend can vary widely here, with the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon ranging from 30% of the blend to 50% of the blend, in some years, making this a very distinctive wine. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for close to 18 months before bottling. There is a second wine, Les Terrasses de La Croizille. On average the production is 2,500 cases of wine per year.

The best vintages of Chateau La Croizille are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

In addition, the De Schepper family owns Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere in the Margaux appellation, Chateau Lacombe-Cadiot, Bordeaux Superieur, Chateau Tayet, Bordeaux Superieur and Chateau Tour Baladoz, also situated in the Saint Emilion appellation. Plus they are also the owners of De Mour negociants.

When to Drink Chateau La Croizille, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Croizille is better with at least 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau La Croizille is best enjoyed in the first 4-18 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for up to 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.

Serving Chateau La Croizille with Wine, and Food Pairing Tips

Chateau La Croizille 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 Croizille 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 Croizille is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

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