Chateau Vray Croix de Gay 2025

James Suckling: The blue fruits with crushed stones and flint are impressive, with some rosemary undertones. Medium body, fine and linear tannins that open to plushness and pretty fruit at the end. 82% merlot and 18% cabernet franc."

Decanter: Lovely aromatic display of fragrant blackcurrants, dried herbs and floral scents. Softly juicy and supple on the palate, clean and straight, with a dark, lightly spiced expression. Finessed throughout, the tannins are seamless, not chewy, yet carrying real depth of flavour with a remarkable lightness of touch. Acidity is beautifully balanced, giving an overall cool, elegant style and a soft, persistent grip on the finish. Lovely, hands-off and really very fine. Not so Pomerol-esque. First vintage in the new cellar with three passes through the best plots and greater selection, as noted by general manager Vincent Millet. Smaller vats have been installed (10hl, 25hl, 34hl and one 73hl used for blending), 12 vats in total for 3.6ha."

Jeb Dunnuck: Very pretty red fruits, smoky herbs, violets, and iris flowers all emerge from the 2025 Château Vray Croix De Gay, the first vintage produced at the new site. A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc that's being raised in 60% new oak, it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a seamless, polished mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and beautiful overall balance."

Vinum: Sehr floral, mit reifer Pflaume und subtiler Würze in der Nase; am Gaumen präsentiert sich der Wein rund und weich, eine verführerisch-schmeichelnde Textur umhüllt die Zunge, feinkörnige, seidige Tannine stützen die satte Frucht; im Abgang mit markanter Süssholznote."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Vray Croix de Gay bursts with bold notes of stewed black plums and black cherry preserves, followed by hints of Indian spices, candied violets, and black licorice. The medium-bodied palate delivers stewed black fruit layers with a light chewiness to the texture and well-knit acidity, finishing long and spicy. The blend is 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. It has a pH of 3.8 and the alcohol is 13.6%. It is aging for 18 months in oak barriques, 80% new."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Plums, mint, flowers, black raspberries, cocoa, and plums fill the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, supple, polished, and fresh, from the mid-palate, through to the finish, you enjoy layers of vibrant, silky, plums, with a drizzle of chocolate-mint. The wine blends 82% Merlot, and 18% Cabernet Franc. 13.1% ABV. 2025 marks the debut wine from their new cellars. Drink from 2029-2047."

Jane Anson: Creamy blueberry and raspberry fruit, with the fresh acidities of the vintage and the intensity that came from having berries 15-20% smaller than a classic year, with thick skins. Skillful construction of acidity, fruit, tannins, helped by relatively low alcohols. 50% new oak. First vintage made in the new Pomerol facility, with 13 vats ranging from 10 to 70hl (the large one is only for blending). 23hl/h yield, harvest September 4 to 15."