Chateau Croix Mouton Bordeaux Superieur, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Croix-Mouton, Bordeaux Superieur, 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 Croix Mouton History, Overview

Previously known as Chateau Mouton, Croix Mouton has a long history in the Bordeaux region. The property was written about in the 1881 Ferret edition, next to many well-known Bordeaux wine producers of the time.

However, the estate has a much longer history dating back to the ancient Romans who planted vines on the property thousands of years ago. The Gallo-Romains remains found in their vineyards are proof of an ancient Bordeaux wine-producing past.

Chateau Croix Mouton was purchased by Jean-Philippe Janoueix in 1997. At the time of the purchase, the estate and vineyards were in poor condition, as the previous owner had abandoned the vineyards. At first, Jean Philippe Janoueix wanted to sell the wines under the original name of Chateau Mouton.

A lawsuit was filed by Chateau Mouton Rothschild and the property changed its name to Croix Mouton. Starting in 1998, extensive renovations on all the winemaking facilities and work in the vineyards began taking place.

Chateau Croix-Mouton is a serious candidate for one of the best Bordeaux wine value producers today. The Chateau is located not far from the Fronsac appellation, close to the Dordogne river, next to Lugon. The special architecture of the buildings at Croix Mouton is a unique feature of the estate, with its 17^th century style.

Chateau Croix Mouton Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The large 78-hectare Bordeaux Superieur vineyard is planted to 97% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This shows an increase in Merlot over the past several years. On average, usually, 70 hectares are under vine. The vineyard has a terroir of clay, alluvial, and limestone soils. Over the years, the estate has expanded to almost 4 times its original size.

Located just north and west of Fronsac, the vineyard has old vines. On average, the vines are a surprising 43 years of age! Those old vines add a lot of concentration and complexity to the wine. When you factor how labor-intensive this wine is to produce, it’s easy to see why this is such a good Bordeaux value wine.

To produce the wine of Croix Mouton, the grapes are whole berry fermented in oak vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 50% new, French barrels. The wine of Croix Mouton is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for 9 months before bottling.

On average, close to 32,000 cases are produced each year. There is a second wine, Reserve du Croix Mouton.

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

Starting in 2005, a high-end Cuvee, from 1.4 hectares of vines planted at 20,000 vines per hectare was produced by Jean Philippe Janoueix from the vineyards of Croix Mouton, 20 Mille.

When to Drink Chateau Croix Mouton, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Croix Mouton is much better with at least 1-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Croix Mouton offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-7 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Croix Mouton with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Croix Mouton is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Chateau Croix Mouton is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Croix Mouton is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Chateau Croix Mouton is the perfect example of a forward-styled, easy to like, crowd-pleasing Bordeaux wine that is best enjoyed in its first few years of life to get the most from its ripe fruit and charm. In this price category, Croix Mouton is an outstanding buy in the Bordeaux value wine arena.

Jean Philippe Janoueix owns several wines from vineyards in the Right Bank including Chateau La Croix St. Georges and Sacre Coeur in Pomerol, La Confession in St. Emilion, as well as Cap St. George from St. Georges, St. Emilion, and 20 Mille, a Bordeaux Superieur.

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