Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac 2016 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This classified growth is located on beautiful gravel terraces between Grand Puy Lacoste and Lynch-Bages. Jean Philippe Quié and his sister Anne-Françoise are determined to give it every chance to succeed, and there has truly been progress since 2015—even if the 2016 vintage doesn’t quite live up to all the promise shown during the barrel tasting prior to bottling. A new fermentation cellar should help solidify this progress once and for all.

Decanter

About the wine:

Once again, this is a vintage in which Croizet Bages has improved in quality—it’s evident, and the wine deserves praise, as it remains an excellent value for a classified Pauillac. It needs time in the glass to open up because it has an extremely rich tannic structure. It’s a masculine style with a flavorful, robust character and good quality that develops slowly but surely. Eric Boissenot is the consultant. 2024–2038

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Located on the Bages plateau south of Pauillac, this estate—established by brothers Louis and Henri Croizet in the 18th century from small parcels—comprises a 26-hectare vineyard planted on gravelly soil. Owned by the Quié family (Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux) since 1942, it is now managed by Jean-Michel Quié and his children, Anne-Françoise and Jean-Philippe.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2016 is a relatively soft wine with a pleasantly smooth mouthfeel. A Pauillac with an approachable profile and a supple palate.

About the estate:

Like Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux, this wine is owned by the Quié family. It doesn't have the resources of the appellation's top producers, but it can nonetheless be smooth and delicious in good vintages. In those cases, it offers great value for wine lovers, thanks to its very reasonable prices.

Vinous

About the wine:

Croizet-Bages 2016 offers an open and inviting bouquet, a blend of red and black fruits intertwined with cedar and a subtle hint of mint. The oak is beautifully integrated here. The palate is well-balanced, with supple tannins complemented by a delicate hint of acidity. It exhibits a bit more “roundness” than its peers thanks to a more expressive Merlot. A Croizet-Bages that “leaves the customer satisfied.” 2022–2035

James Suckling

About the wine:

Plenty of blackcurrant and warm stone notes on the nose. Full-bodied and tannic on the palate with a smooth finish. Shows excellent structure. Very well made.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Purplish red. A fruity bouquet with good intensity, revealing notes of licorice and raspberries. Hints of cedar. A fruity and refreshing attack. A well-balanced body with tannins that harmonize with a lively structure. A fruity finish. Bravo! 2022–2036

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant and fruity, offering subtle power and intensity. It features notes of plump, crisp wild strawberries and plump, crisp raspberries, along with more subtle hints of blackberry, combined with light touches of blackcurrant and fresh blueberries, as well as very subtle hints of gray pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, juicy, and balanced, offering good definition, a delicate juiciness, structure, and a subtle, tangy acidity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/tart red berries, juicy/tart raspberries, and, to a lesser extent, blackberries, combined with a hint of cherry, subtle hints of licorice root, and very subtle hints of cardamom and vanilla. Good length on the finish with hints of almond and coffee.