The 2022 Croix de Labrie is a Bordeaux Blend hailing from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Croix de Labrie, combines 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Notably, this vintage marks the first year with such a high percentage of Cabernet in the blend. The wine is sealed with a cork closure and has a pH of 3.4, with yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awards the wine a score of 97, describing it as "inky in color" and highlighting its "flowers, blackberries, boysenberries, mint, smoke, licorice, and black cherries with touches of chocolate." Leve notes the wine's "concentration, opulence, freshness, and silkiness," making it enjoyable both young and aged.
Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com gives an even higher score of 98, praising it as potentially "the finest vintage to date from this team." Dunnuck appreciates its "vivid purple hue" and "classy perfume of cassis and black raspberries interwoven with spring flowers, violets, camphor, and crushed stone." He emphasizes its "incredible purity and precision," predicting it will "flirt with perfection in 7-8 years and keep for 2-3 decades."
Jane Anson of janeanson.com provides a score of 94, noting the wine's "powerfully vibrant color and character" and the "clear Cabernet Franc imprint" with "fragrant raspberry leaf and violet aromatics." Anson describes the wine as having "ripe berry fruits delivered with finesse," and notes its "limestone fingerprint."
Vinous, represented by Antonio Galloni, scores the wine at 95, citing its "dark, sumptuous and also wonderfully vibrant" profile. Galloni observes "ripe dark fruit, mocha, spice, lavender, and licorice," and mentions that it "offers tons of intensity and nuance."
Decanter also scores the wine at 95, describing it as having "blue fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate and plums on the nose," and noting its "smooth and really deliciously textured" palate. The review highlights the "balance of acidity and fine tannins," making the wine "generous and easy to enjoy."
James Suckling gives another excellent score of 98, calling the wine "an incredible young wine" with "fantastic chalk and stone character." Suckling appreciates its "freshness and dryness," and notes the "oyster shell and iodine character at the end."
Finally, The Wine Independent scores the wine at 95, describing it as "deep garnet-purple in color" and "bursting from the glass with vivacious notes of red currant jelly, baked black plums, blueberry compote, and tilled soil." The review notes its "impressive tension and loads of bright red and black berry layers."
Overall, the 2022 Croix de Labrie is a highly praised Bordeaux Blend, noted for its vibrant color, complex aroma profile, and balance of richness and freshness.