A rather complex history means that this property is less well known than it deserves to be. It’s now under the same ownership as Calon Ségur (the Suravenir insurance group; they bought it from the owners of Latour), and so a new chapter begins. With vineyards near La Fleur-Pétrus, Le Gay and Trotanoy, the potential is evident. With Calon’s excellent Technical Director, Vincent Millet, overseeing matters, the 2021 here has a tense and expressively high-toned bouquet. The palate is assertive and creamy, growing in flavour and depth. This is an impressive effort from a seemingly rarely seen property.

The winemaking is overseen by renowned winemaker Michel Rolland, known for his expertise in crafting rich and expressive wines. The wines are typically characterised by their elegance, complexity, and ageing potential.

While Château Vray Croix de Gay is not classified as a Grand Cru Classé in the Bordeaux wine classification system, it is considered one of the top estates in Pomerol.

Bordeaux, located in southwest France, is one of the world’s most prestigious wine regions, renowned for its elegant and age-worthy wines. The region benefits from a temperate maritime climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and Gironde estuary, providing mild winters, warm summers, and the rainfall necessary for balanced grape ripening.

Bordeaux’s diverse soils—ranging from gravelly terraces on the Left Bank to clay and limestone on the Right Bank—strongly influence grape selection and wine style. The region is divided into sub-regions, most notably the Left Bank (Médoc, Graves) and Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol), along with Entre-Deux-Mers.

The dominant red grape varieties include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Merlot thrives on the clay soils of the Right Bank, producing plush, fruity wines, while Cabernet Sauvignon excels in the gravel soils of the Left Bank, giving structured, tannic wines with dark fruit and earthy notes. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic lift and finesse.

White Bordeaux wines, particularly from Pessac-Léognan and Entre-Deux-Mers, are crafted from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle, offering fresh citrus, stone fruit, and floral notes. The region is also famous for its sweet wines, like Sauternes, which display honeyed richness, balanced by vibrant acidity.

Merlot is one of the world’s most widely planted and popular red grape varieties, prized for its soft texture, approachability, and rich fruit character. Originating in Bordeaux, France—particularly prominent in the Right Bank regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol—Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties to add suppleness and ripe fruit.

Viticulturally, Merlot is an early-ripening grape, making it well-suited to cooler climates. It thrives in clay-rich soils, which enhance its plush texture and depth. However, it can be sensitive to frost and overly vigorous if not carefully managed, sometimes leading to high yields and diluted flavours.

Today, Merlot is grown extensively around the world, including in France, Italy, the United States (especially California and Washington State), Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. In each region, it adapts to different styles—from soft and fruity to structured and age-worthy.

Merlot wines are typically medium to full-bodied, with smooth tannins and flavours of plum, black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, and sometimes herbal or earthy notes. In warmer climates, the wines tend to be richer and fruitier, while cooler regions produce more restrained, elegant expressions. Merlot’s versatility and charm make it a staple of both varietal wines and blends worldwide.