Croix de Labrie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023
Château Croix de Labrie, the gem of Saint-Emilion
The tiny plots of Château Croix de Labrie total an area of 5,2 hectares (12,85 acres) in the middle of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation area. Organic farming with biodynamic practices is applied to the vineyard that is managed like those in Burgundy. Château Croix de Labrie, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé since 2022, is the jewel in the crown of the estate and is produced from parcels from different terroirs located near the most prestigious crus such as Pavie.
The story of Château Croix de Labrie is above all that of a couple of wine lovers, Axelle and Pierre Courdurié, who decided to start the adventure in 2013, immediately convinced of the potential of this mosaic of plots in the heart of the AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. Axelle, an enthusiastic and determined winegrower, lives all year long to the rhythm of the vine and wine.
Rare and unique wines of Château Croix de Labrie are rich, dense, very fruity, with perfect ripeness. A very elegant very deep color, with lots of finesse. Croix de Labrie wine brings a lot of power, balance and freshness.
The 2023 vintage
Climatic conditions:
The vintage began with a warm autumn followed by a cold, wet winter, with a frost episode in early April of no consequence. The hot spring and stormy spells required extra vigilance in the vines, but flowering at the end of May took place under favorable conditions. A very sunny summer, without any excessive heatwave, enabled an even veraison, followed by a remarkable end to the season in September and during the Indian summer, with perfectly ripe and fresh Merlots, and exceptional Cabernets Sauvignon and Francs.
Tasting Notes:
The 2023 vintage is bright, aromatic, fresh, powerful, balanced, dense, complex, elegant, with multi-layers and intense. Notes of blackcurrant, violet and fresh wild blackberry combined with fine touches of crushed blueberry. The palate is fruity, elegant, balanced, fine, chiseled, very rounded with notes of liquorice, spicy, Sichuan pepper. The wine expresses notes of black fruits, blackberry, crushed blackcurrant, wild raspberry, small red berries, with hints of fresh blueberry. Very fine hints of toasted almond, crushed hazelnut and graphite. The wine evolves powerful, rich, full and straight, with finesse and elegance. Velvetiness combines with a joyful, very sapid energy. Very long persistence on the finish, freshness which brings palatability and deliciousness to the finish. A very great wine to keep.