Chateau
Le Cros is ideally located on the gravelly plateau in the north-west
section of the St-Emilion appellation, in the vicinity of Chateau
Figeac. The property is just 2.7 hectares in size and the vines average
30 years of age. Only 660 cases are produced annually. The winery
is now under the direction of the Vedrenne group based at Chateau Fleur
de Jean Gue in Lalande de Pomerol. The goal here is to produce a
St-Emilion wine that is like a well-polished jewel.
The
soil of the vineyard is a mixture of limestone, gravel and clay. This
terroir, along with ideal exposition, combines to ensure optimal and
consistent ripening. Yields are kept to a low 40 hectolitres per
hectare. During the summer, green harvesting and leaf stripping are
done as needed. The grapes are hand-harvested and are then meticulously
sorted to ensure that only perfectly ripe and healthy fruit is
accepted. Vinification is carried out in modern, temperature-controlled
tanks with 2 pigeages per day,
to attain the maximum of extraction. Chateau Le Cros is then aged in
oak casks for 14 months, of which 10% are new, 40% are one year old,
and 50% are two years old. The barrel regime is calibrated to ensure
that the wine is balanced and supple on release, yet not over powered
by oak.
Chateau Le Cros
has a full, garnet color, a bouquet of allspice, and rich, dark fruit
flavors and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. It is a very
accessible St-Emilion with a generous palate and stylish length. Ch. La
Cros is equally enjoyable for current drinking -- presently with red
meats, roast winter vegetables and ripe cheeses – and will develop
further with 3-5 years of bottle age.
|