Chateau Croix Mouton Bordeaux Supérieur 2020 / 14% / 0.75 L

Château Croix Mouton is one of the most reliable “value” estates on the right bank of Bordeaux, right by the meandering Dordogne River, next to Lugon, with a history dating back to Roman times (Galro-Roman remains have been found on the vineyard grounds).The estate’s current appearance is the result of the efforts of the dynamic Jean-Philippe Janoueix, who purchased the property in 1997., He restored the buildings (which feature a distinctive 17th-century fireplace) and replanted the neglected gardens.It was then, following a dispute over the name with Mouton Rothschild, that “Mouton” became “Croix Mouton,” and to this day, each vintage features a different, stylized “M” on the label—a small tribute to the individuality of each vintage.The vineyards are situated on clay-limestone and alluvial soils, and the vines here are surprisingly old for a Bordeaux Supérieur, which results in good fruit concentration.Fun fact: The Janoueix team experimented here with distinctive “cigar” barrels and an extremely high planting density (20,000 vines per hectare) for the cuvée “20 Mille,” to demonstrate that quality is not reserved exclusively for the most famous appellations.The estate itself was already featured in the first editions of the famous “Guide Féret” (1881), and today it is considered a textbook example of an accessible, full-bodied Bordeaux meant to be enjoyed young.

In the 2020 vintage, the Château Croix Mouton Bordeaux Supérieur base wine was made primarily from Merlot, with some Cabernet; the author of *Great Bordeaux Wines* lists the blend as 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon (approx..14.2% alc.).The winery ferments whole berries in wooden vats, performs malolactic fermentation in barrels, and ages the wine for about.9 months in French oak barrels (partly new) — hence the smooth tannins and velvety texture.

Appearance: medium-depth ruby red with a delicate violet hue at the rim; clear, vivid luster.

Aroma: juicy cherries and sweet cherries, cassis, plum skin; underneath, notes of milk chocolate, coffee beans, and a hint of tobacco leaf and dried violet.

Taste: medium-bodied, very smooth, “creamy” tannins; a sweet, fruity core with cherry-and-plum juice, enlivened by a hint of anise/licorice and barrel-derived spices; a clean finish with good length, featuring fine, powdery tannins.

Food pairings: roast chicken with herbs, pork chops with rosemary, beef burger with Cheddar, ratatouille, roasted root vegetables, hard cheeses (Comté, Gruyère).