Croix de Labrie Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 PRE-ARRIVAL

Pre-arrival. Estimated to be available December 2024.

Croix de Labrie is a relatively modern estate located in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux. The vineyard's history dates back to the early 20th century, but it was only in the 1990s that the estate began to gain recognition for its quality wines. In 1997, the property was purchased by Jean-Claude Berrouet, a renowned winemaker who previously worked at Château Pétrus. Under his guidance, the estate underwent significant improvements, focusing on low yields, sustainable viticulture, and advanced winemaking techniques. Today, Croix de Labrie is known for producing rich, complex wines with a focus on purity, balance, and precision, which consistently earn high praise from critics.

98 Points James Suckling
An incredible young wine that shows fantastic chalk and stone character on both the nose and palate. It’s full but super racy and intense, with a freshness and dryness that is very unique. Oyster shell and iodine character at the end. Salt and white pepper in the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. From organically grown grapes.

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck
I wouldn't be surprised to see the 2022 Chateau Croix De Labrie be the finest vintage to date from this team. Checking in as a blend of 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc, this stunning wine offers a vivid purple hue as well as a classy perfume of cassis and black raspberries interwoven with spring flowers, violets, camphor, and crushed stone. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has incredible purity and precision while still bringing serious richness and depth. It's going to flirt with perfection in 7-8 years and keep for 2-3 decades. Bravo.

95 Points Decanter
Blue fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate and plums on the nose. Vibrant and lively on the palate, smooth and really deliciously textured - not too heavy or too light, density is there in the fruit concentration but the balance of acidity and fine tannins is nicely supportive. Cool blue fruits are at the fore as well as tangy strawberries and raspberries, a sense of fun and ease about this with bite and tang to the fine but grippy tannins. Nicely detailed, you feel the edges here and the shape of the wine which has tension and focus. Not so demonstrably layered but generous and easy to enjoy with lovely mouthwatering acidity that is really appealing. Balanced and supremely finessed with a long length and fine tannins. Tasted twice and much preferred the second time. 3.44pH. 5.16ha vineyard worked organic and biodynamically on three sites; plateau of St Christophe des Bardes (harvest 14 & 15 September), bottom of the Pavie slopes (20 & 21 September) and the area Le Cateau (29 September). Ageing 80% barrels of 225l (70% new, 30% one wine old) and 20% large casks, foudre and demi-muids. Yield of 35hl/ha. 

95 Points Vinous Media
The 2022 Croix de Labrie is loaded with potential. Dark, sumptuous and also wonderfully vibrant, the 2022 offers tons of intensity and nuance. Ripe dark fruit, mocha, spice, lavender and licorice are beautifully delineated. Clean, saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2022 is fabulous. Tasted three times. 

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Château Croix de Labrie was established in the early 2000s by owner and winemaker, Axelle Courdurié. She acquired the vineyard, which is a small 1.3-hectare plot, with the aim of producing high-quality, artisanal wines that reflect the unique terroir of Saint-Emilion.

located on a hillside with clay and limestone soils, typical of the Saint-Emilion region. The vineyard is planted with Merlot, which is the dominant grape variety in Saint-Emilion, along with some Cabernet Franc, and follows a traditional and artisanal approach to winemaking. The vineyard is managed using sustainable and organic practices, with a focus on minimal intervention in the cellar to allow the terroir to express itself in the wines. The yields are kept low to ensure concentration and quality in the grapes.

The wine is made from hand-harvested grapes and undergoes fermentation in small oak barrels. It is then aged in French oak barrels for a period of time to develop its flavors and complexity.

Despite being a relatively small winery, Château Croix de Labrie has gained recognition for its high-quality wines. The wines have received praise from wine critics for their depth, complexity, and elegance. They are known for their approachability in their youth, as well as their ability to age and improve over time.

Overall, Château Croix de Labrie is a boutique winery that produces limited quantities of high-quality wines from its small vineyard in the esteemed Saint-Emilion appellation. Its commitment to traditional winemaking methods and focus on terroir expression has earned it a reputation as one of the notable producers in the region.