The 2022 Croix de Labrie is a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed region of Saint Emilion in Bordeaux, France. With a striking inky color, this wine immediately catches the eye. The nose is filled with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, blackberries, boysenberries, mint, smoke, licorice, and black cherries, accompanied by subtle hints of chocolate.
Upon tasting, one can truly appreciate the blend of concentration, opulence, freshness, and silkiness that this wine possesses. It is lush and deep, with layers of ripe, sweet black cherries, salty plums, peppery spices, and licorice. The tannins are well-integrated, giving the wine a smooth and velvety texture.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the 2022 Croix de Labrie is produced and bottled with extremely low levels of sulfur, allowing the natural flavors and aromas to shine through. The blend consists of 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc, with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon being a first for this vintage.
The wine has a moderate alcohol percentage of 14.5% and a pH level of 3.4, ensuring a balanced and harmonious profile. The yields for this vintage were 35 hectoliters per hectare, a testament to the care and precision that goes into the winemaking process.
Notable wine critics have been effusive in their praise for the 2022 Croix de Labrie. Jeff Leve awarded it an outstanding score of 97 points, describing it as a wine that can be enjoyed now or aged for more complexity. Jeb Dunnuck was equally impressed, giving it a score of 98 points and predicting that it may be the finest vintage to date from this producer.
With its powerfully vibrant color, expressive aromatics, and impeccable balance, the 2022 Croix de Labrie is a wine that exemplifies the best of Saint Emilion. Whether enjoyed young or aged, this wine promises to captivate the senses and provide a truly memorable tasting experience.