Château Croizet-Bages

History of Château Croizet-Bages

The history of Château Croizet-Bages dates back to the end of the seventeenth century, when brothers Bertrand and Pierre Croizet, a Bordeaux notary and court clerk, began acquiring plots in the Pauillac region. Their ambition: to create a renowned wine estate. In homage to their lineage, the estate was named "Croizet-Bages", merging their family name with that of the hamlet of Bages, located at the heart of Pauillac.

The estate enjoyed a rapid rise thanks to the quality of its wines and quickly became a benchmark in the region. In 1853, the Calvé family, wine merchants in Bordeaux, took possession of the château and continued to make its star shine. In 1855, during the prestigious imperial classification commissioned by Napoleon III, Château Croizet-Bages was elevated to the rank of Fifth Grand Cru Classé.

Despite its renown, the estate was struck by the viticultural crises of the early twentieth century. It was not until 1942 that the destiny of the Château changed radically with its acquisition by Paul Quié, a passionate wine merchant. Under his stewardship and that of his descendants, the vineyard experienced a true renaissance. Paul Quié and his son Jean-Michel set about modernizing the facilities and completely replanted the vines after the 1969 harvest.

Today, Jean-Michel's children, Anne-Françoise and Jean-Philippe Quié, carry on the work of their forebears. Under their direction, Château Croizet-Bages is entering a new era of modernization with renovations planned through 2026, while respecting the traditions and exceptional terroir of the estate.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Croizet-Bages

Located at the heart of the Médoc Regional Natural Park, the vineyard of Château Croizet-Bages extends over 30 hectares in a single block, across the famous gravelly ridges surrounding the hamlet of Bages. This left bank terroir is unique, composed of deep gravel and gravelly sands, promoting optimal natural drainage, essential to the concentration of the grapes.

The gravelly soils typical of the region allow the vines to absorb the heat stored during the day, thereby creating ideal conditions for the ripening of noble grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Each plot of the vineyard is worked independently, according to its age, its grape variety, and the profile sought for the final blend.

The estate's main grape varieties are:

Cabernet Sauvignon (58%): The backbone of Pauillac wines, it brings structure, power, and aging potential.

Merlot (39%): Harvested relatively early, it brings roundness and fruity charm to the wines.

Petit Verdot (3%): It brings an intense color and spiced notes, reinforcing the character of the wine.

Château Croizet-Bages also stands out for its commitment to the environment. The estate is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE), which reflects its sustainable approach. Virtuous farming practices, such as soil cultivation, cover cropping, manual leaf removal, and Poussard pruning, promote the vitality of the vines and the sustainability of the terroir.

Winemaking at Château Croizet-Bages

The winemaking at Château Croizet-Bages reflects a pursuit of excellence at every stage of the process. The harvest, carried out by hand, allows for a meticulous selection of the grape bunches to ensure optimal quality. Each lot is vinified separately in order to respect the identity of each plot.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks of various sizes (from 12 to 150 hl), allowing for optimal plot-by-plot selection. Fermentations are carried out at controlled temperatures between 26 and 28°C, with regular pump-overs to extract the desired tannins and aromas. Malolactic fermentation, which softens the acidity of the wines, takes place in tanks and in barrels.

The aging, for its part, takes place over 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels. This process gives the estate's wines their velvety texture and aromatic depth. The marriage of wood and wine enhances the aromas and imparts subtle notes of cocoa, spice, and cedar.

The Cuvées of Château Croizet-Bages

Château Croizet-Bages - Fine Wine

The Fine Wine of Château Croizet-Bages is the most noble expression of the estate. Sun-drenched and generous, it embodies all the richness of the great wines of Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and power, while Merlot adds roundness and aromas of candied cherry. Petit Verdot, for its part, deepens the color and offers spiced touches.

After a few years of cellaring, this wine reveals a striking aromatic complexity, blending notes of dark fruit, cedar, leather, and plum. Its well-present tannic structure gives it great longevity, and its aging in French oak barrels brings finesse and elegance.

Grape varieties: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

Average yield: 45 hectoliters per hectare

Annual production: Approximately 70,000 bottles

Aging: 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels

Alias Croizet-Bages - Second Wine

Alias Croizet-Bages is the second wine of the estate, produced from young vines. This wine, vinified with as much care as the Fine Wine, captivates with its vibrant fruit and freshness. Notes of cherry and cedar bring a gourmand and precise touch, while its tannic structure is more measured, making it an approachable wine from its earliest years.

Alias Croizet-Bages reflects all the charm of Pauillac, with a supple tannic structure and a beautiful length on the palate. Its aging in French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months imparts subtle aromas and a beautiful complexity.

Grape varieties: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

Annual production: Approximately 36,000 bottles

Aging: 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels

Pauillac, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc, is part of the great wines of Bordeaux, with remarkable vintages that have marked history. Among the finest vintages, one finds those of 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005 also stand out for their richness and power. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed the exceptional potential of Pauillac, offering wines that are both elegant and powerful, perfect for long cellaring.

The Fifth Grands Crus Classés offer a beautiful diversity of estates in the Médoc, reflecting the winemaking expertise of Bordeaux. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out for their distinctive characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory of Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Croizet-Bages is a symbol of the viticultural greatness of Pauillac, with a rich history, an exceptional terroir, and wines that embody elegance and generosity. Thanks to the constant efforts of the Quié family to preserve and enhance this heritage, Château Croizet-Bages continues to produce wines of great finesse, capable of spanning the decades while adapting to contemporary challenges.