Why it matters
The producer
The Quié family has owned Château Croizet-Bages since 1942. Anne-Françoise and Jean-Philippe now govern the Pauillac château, whose 30 hectares lie on deep Garonne gravel and gravelly sandy loam. The soils drain naturally, while the vineyard is planted to 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.
The property holds HVE certification, France's highest level of farm environmental certification. Half of the vineyard is harvested by machine, combining mechanical work with the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon led planting.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Croizet-Bages is in Pauillac, an appellation within Bordeaux's Haut-Médoc. Pauillac identifies the narrower appellation on the label, while Haut-Médoc names the wider sub-region. The estate's 2019 bottle carries the Pauillac name and is a red wine.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac is the principal wine. The 2019 vintage contains 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, with 14.5% alcohol.
La Tourelle de Croizet-Bages is the second wine. The range therefore includes a Pauillac blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon and a separate second-wine bottling under its own name.