Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2022 i trækasse ØKO

James Suckling

What a fabulous young wine from this tiny vineyard of four hectares. Aromas of black cherries, graphite, flint and brambleberries. Hints of fresh herbs such as bay leaves. The palate is medium-bodied, showing a fantastic depth of fruit and racy tannins. The purity and complexity are exceptional. A very minerally, vineyard-driven wine with an abundance of character and subtle power. 84% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, and 6% cabernet franc. Best after 2029 but hard to resist.

Jeb Dunnuck

Deep purple-hued, the 2022 Château Croix De Labrie is based on 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc that's from a handful of sites of mostly cooler limestone soils. Cassis, violets, darker chocolate, graphite, and spicy oak all emerge from this pure, concentrated, beautifully balanced and full-bodied 2022. It’s relatively inward and tight at the moment, yet it still blossoms with air and has so much to love. I would hide bottles for 4-6 years, and it should cruise over the following two decades.

Falstaff

Deep dark ruby garnet, inky, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate brightening at the rim. Fresh plums, dark forest berries, a hint of nougat and fine wood, subtly spiced. Powerful, dense texture, ripe heart cherries, integrated tannins, good freshness, mineral and long-lasting, with reliable ageing potential.

Vert de Vin Magazine

Nice fresh nose, complex, tense, precise, elegant and which offers a certain straightness, a very nice controlled power as well as a nice width of the palette. It reveals notes of boysenberry, luscious/juicy raspberry and slight hints of blueberry associated with touches of violet, Bigarreau cherry, graphite, juicy/bright blueberry as well as fine hints of gray pepper, with a discreet hint of fresh blond tobacco, a hint of bergamot, rose and a subtle hint of nutmeg. The palate is fruity, balanced, dynamic, elegant and offers freshness, juiciness, nice definition, nice dimension, purity, good energy, finesse, precision, power in finesse , a tangy frame, density in finesse/accuracy as well as a stretched side. Nicely marked by its terroir. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy / pulpy blackberry, fleshy blackcurrant and slight hints of small bright red berries associated with a touch of Bigarreau cherry, fresh blueberry as well as discreet hints of graphite, cardamom, smoke as well as a fine saline hint, a very discreet sappy hint (in the background), a subtle salivating hint and sweet spices. Very nice persistence. A fine chew and a nice sapidity / sweetness on the finish. A wine that offers a nice “3-dimensional / complete” side.

Tastingbook.com

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Alexandre Ma

The pH of Château Croix de Labrie 2022 is even lower than that of the 2021 vintage, and beyond admiring the inherent talent of the limestone soils, I must also give a shout-out to Axelle for her vineyard management. As the toasted notes gradually fade, the fruit profile of Château Croix de Labrie becomes more defined, with the 1200-litre Foudre already showing remarkable results in its first year. The aromas of sour jujube and plum juice are crisp and vibrant, lingering on the palate with a subtle rose fragrance. Due to the lower pH, the tannins were still quite noticeable during En Primeur, but after bottling, they have become exceptionally smooth. If the Château Croix de Labrie before 2019 was horizontal and sweet, the 2022 vintage is vertical and briny, showcasing a refreshing new expression.

Bettane et Desseauve

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. Rolland & Associés consultants.

Vinous

The 2022 Croix de Labrie is impeccable. Bright, floral and vibrant in the glass, Croix de Labrie is very nicely balanced. Medium in body and silky, the 2022 impresses with its freshness and energy, qualities that are especially present these days. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper extend the finish.

Jane Anson

Powerfully vibrant in colour and character, clear Cabernet Franc imprint with its fragrant raspberry leaf and violet aromatics. Ripe berry fruits delivered with finesse, given added succulence and juice by mandarin peel, orange marmalade, lemongrass and slate. This is quality with a limestone fingerprint. First year Grand Cru Classé. 3.44ph, 35hl/h yield, 80% barrels (70% new oak), 20% large sized casks, certified organic and biodynamic.