Chateau La Croix Bellevue Pomerol 2018

The Château La Croix Bellevue Pomerol 2018 is a high-quality red wine produced in the Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, France. The wine blends Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, which are typical of the Pomerol region. Below is a detailed breakdown of the ingredients, the grape composition, and more in-depth information on the wine.

Grape Varieties and Percentage:

• Merlot: 80% of the blend.
  • Pomerol is known for its emphasis on Merlot, and this grape is the dominant variety in most wines from the region. Merlot contributes to the wine’s rich fruitiness, smooth texture, and approachable nature.
• Cabernet Franc: 20% of the blend.
  • Cabernet Franc is often used in small quantities to add complexity, structure, and aromatic qualities, such as herbal, floral, and sometimes peppery notes.

Wine Region:

• Pomerol: Pomerol is one of the most prestigious wine regions on the right bank of the Bordeaux River. The area is known for its clay and gravel soils, which allow the Merlot grape to flourish. The wines from Pomerol, while not classified in the official Bordeaux classification system (since Pomerol does not have classified growths like Médoc), are highly regarded for their quality, finesse, and aging potential.

Vintage: 2018

• Weather: The 2018 vintage in Bordeaux experienced a warm growing season, which allowed the grapes to ripen to near-perfect levels. However, the season also required careful vineyard management to avoid over-ripeness and preserve freshness and acidity in the wine.
• Quality: The 2018 vintage in Bordeaux is considered a great year, with wines being highly concentrated, balanced, and capable of aging well.

Tasting Notes:

• Appearance: Deep ruby-red with purple tinges, showcasing the concentration and richness of the wine.
• Nose: Aromas of dark fruits such as blackberries, plums, and black cherries, mingling with hints of leather, tobacco, and subtle oak influence. There may also be nuances of violet, earthy undertones, and a touch of minerality, adding complexity.
• Palate: Full-bodied and plush with a soft, velvety texture. The dark fruit flavors (blackberry, blackcurrant) are prominent, with underlying notes of cocoa, spice, and a mild earthy complexity. The tannins are finely integrated and the acidity balanced, leading to a smooth finish with a long-lasting aftertaste.
• Finish: A clean, elegant finish that lingers with the fruit and subtle spice notes.

Alcohol Content:

• 13.5% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is typical for Bordeaux wines, contributing to the wine’s structure and balance.

Oak Aging:

• The wine is aged in oak barrels, which imparts subtle oak-derived flavors such as vanilla, toast, and spice. The oak also contributes to the wine’s complexity and helps soften the tannins, adding to its aging potential.

Aging Potential:

• 10 to 20 years: The wine’s structure, fruit concentration, and balanced acidity make it suitable for aging. Over time, it will develop more complex tertiary aromas like leather, earthy notes, and a greater integration of the oak flavors.

Wine Style:

• Type: Dry red wine
• Style: Full-bodied, elegant, and structured with ripe fruit, balanced acidity, and refined tannins.
• Maturity: Ready to drink now, but will improve with age.

Food Pairing:

• The wine pairs excellently with rich and flavorful dishes, including:
  • Roast lamb, beef Wellington, or grilled steaks.
  • Duck with a fruit-based sauce (such as duck à l'orange).
  • Rich, creamy cheeses (like aged Brie or Camembert).
  • Roasted or grilled vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and root vegetables.

Winemaking:

• Vineyard Practices: The estate employs sustainable vineyard practices, focusing on quality and maintaining a balance with nature.
• Harvesting: Grapes are typically hand-harvested to ensure only the best fruit is selected.
• Fermentation: Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh fruit character.
• Aging: The wine is aged in oak barrels, typically a mix of new and used barrels, to integrate the oak flavors and allow the wine to develop a rounder texture.

Winery Profile:

• Château La Croix Bellevue is a family-owned estate located in the heart of the Pomerol appellation. The estate has a long tradition of producing elegant, complex wines with a strong focus on quality. The vineyards are situated on the renowned Pomerol plateau, where the soil composition—rich in clay and gravel—creates an ideal environment for Merlot to thrive.
• The estate strives for minimal intervention in the winemaking process, allowing the terroir to shine through in each vintage.

Serving Château La Croix Bellevue Pomerol 2018:

1. Temperature:
   • Serve at 60-65°F (15-18°C). This is the ideal temperature range for a red Bordeaux like the Château La Croix Bellevue. Serving it too cold can mute the aromas, while serving it too warm can exaggerate the alcohol and make it feel heavy. The slightly cooler temperature allows the wine's fruit and structure to be balanced and its aromas to emerge.
2. Glassware:
   • Use a Bordeaux wine glass with a larger bowl. A glass with a wide bowl helps the wine to breathe and allows you to fully appreciate the wine's complex bouquet of aromas.
   • The larger surface area also encourages the wine to open up, releasing its layers of fruit, earthy, and floral notes.
3. Pouring:
   • Pour the wine to about one-third of the glass. This allows space for the aromas to concentrate at the top and provides room for the wine to move around, enhancing your tasting experience.

Decanting Château La Croix Bellevue Pomerol 2018:

1. Decanting is Recommended:
   • The 2018 vintage is still relatively young and will benefit from decanting to help it open up and soften its tannins. Decanting helps to expose the wine to oxygen, which encourages the release of its aromas and helps integrate its flavors more harmoniously.
   • Decant for 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the wine to breathe and evolve, showing more complexity as it opens up.
   • If you’re short on time, you can decant for 30 minutes to 1 hour, but the wine will show best with a little more time in the decanter.
2. Why Decant?:
   • Pomerol wines like Château La Croix Bellevue often have deep, concentrated flavors, and decanting helps to mellow the wine and bring out its nuances. This wine likely has a mixture of ripe fruit flavors (blackberry, plum) and earthy notes (truffles, wet soil) with soft tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Decanting will allow these elements to come forward.