Original bottle illustration — Bacchus Global
IGP Pays d'Oc — Occitanie, France
DOMAINE DE SAUZETChamp de la Croix 2020
At the foot of limestone cliffs in the Hérault, a former financier turned winemaker revived a long-abandoned estate. What grows there today is a five-grape red that speaks quietly of cedar, dark fruit and a dark cocoa-cherry richness.
- Wine type
- Red wine (still)
- Grape
- Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Mourvèdre
- Appellation
- IGP Pays d'Oc
- Origin
- Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois, Hérault, Occitanie, France
- Drinking window
- 2024–2030
- Recommended temperature
- 16–17°C
- Alcohol
- 13% ABV
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
A Revived Estate in the Cévennes Foothills
Near the Grotte des Demoiselles in the Hérault, François Massol left a career in finance in 1995 to restore a long-neglected historic property. Working with clay-limestone soils and guidance from local growers, he built a winemaking practice from the ground up.
Champ de la Croix blends Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and Mourvèdre, fermented in concrete tank and aged twelve months in demi-muid oak. The result is a concentrated, cedar-and-dark-cocoa-cherry red that earned silver medals at both Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Bettane & Desseauve in 2021.
Taste profile
In the glass
CHAMP DE LA CROIX 2020
Scale1–5
BG wine structure estimate
Comparative profile within the Bacchus Global wine range.
Concentrated and floral-edged, layering dark fruit, cedar and a dark cocoa-cherry richness with blackcurrant, mint, flint and a hint of caramel.
Full-bodied and supple, with fresh acidity carrying an unusually long finish.
Deep red.
Before it reaches the glass
Temperature
16–17°C
Timing
Drinks well from around 2024 through roughly 2030.
Glassware
A large-bowled Burgundy glass, or a generous Bordeaux glass, suits its aromatic range.
At the table
The wine's silky tannin and dark-fruit concentration make it a natural match for grilled and roasted beef dishes across several culinary traditions.
Its demi-muid spice and fresh acidity give it enough structure to stand up to rich sauces and grilled meats, while its restrained tannin keeps it from overwhelming lighter beef preparations.
Japanese
- Wagyu steak
- Sukiyaki
- Roast duck (Japanese-style)
Why it worksThe wine's silky tannin and fruit concentration echo the richness of wagyu fat and glazed duck.
Thai
- Yam neua (mild)
- Massaman neua
- Neua yang
Why it worksBeef's savoury depth and herbal notes meet the wine's cedar-and-spice character; milder preparations keep the pairing balanced.
Western
- Magret de canard aux olives
- Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic
- Beef fillet with sauce poivre
Why it worksOlive- and pepper-forward sauces echo the spice notes drawn from demi-muid aging.
From cellar to bottle
Winemaking
Grapes are hand-picked into 15kg crates with on-vine sorting, destemmed, and fermented in concrete tank before twelve months' aging in 500–600L demi-muid oak.
Product detail
From 20-year-old vines yielding 30 hL/ha, bottled in June 2022 at 13% ABV.
About the Origin
The vineyards sit on a clay-limestone slope near the Cévennes cliffs, close to the Grotte des Demoiselles.
Official producer website→Awards & Recognition
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2021
Awarded to the 2020 vintage of Champ de la Croix.
Bettane & Desseauve 2021
Awarded to the 2020 vintage of Champ de la Croix.
Trade information
Contact Bacchus Global for product documentation, availability and trade enquiries.
