Château La Croix du Casse 2013

Quite light, with a whiff of tomato leaf giving way to soft plum and cherry notes at the core. Turns lightly firm in the end, presenting a cedar-edged finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.

Light, fruity but well made. Grainy tannins. Drink on the fruit.

A refined and delicate red with chocolate, berry and mineral. Medium body. Delicious finish. Drink now.

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. Half-sweet and unfortunately also vegetal bouquet, coming across rather muted at first. On the subtly firm palate, it shows red cherry compote; the extract reveals an unripe tannin note that it will likely keep for its entire life.

(94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 23 hl/ha) Medium, subtly bitter bouquet, strawberries, pepper, a hint of chocolate. Light, slender palate with delicate fruit, fine-grained tannins, bitter aromatics, light finish. 16/20 2017 - 2028

The tannin has become more refined since the en primeur tasting, giving greater finesse now.

A lovely smooth, charming, fluid wine, full of charm. 93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc on gravel and sand. 22 hl/ha.

Fruity, light wine.

Soft and fresh, this fruity wine comes from sandy soil that gives it lightness, especially in this vintage. Fresh fruits and soft tannins make this wine ready to drink now.

The 2013 La Croix du Casse has a light bouquet of red cherry and blueberry, with incense and violet aromas emerging in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and straightforward, with red cherry and light chocolate/truffle notes; a little monotone toward the finish but showing satisfactory length. Drink over the next 4–5 years.