2023 Château Croix de Labrie

Complex aromas of blackberries, pencil shavings, tar and black olives. Full-bodied with wonderful precision and verve. The flavors are similar to the aromas and give such beauty, presence and energy. Just a touch of salt at the end. Merlot and cabernet franc. It shows gentle strength. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2028, but already wonderful to drink. (12/2025)

The 2023 Château Croix De Labrie comes from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging 80% in barrels (70% new) and the balance in foudre and demi-muids. It has a vivid purple hue as well as a pretty, perfumed bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, and subtle spicy oak. it's certainly a prettier, more elegant wine from this terrific family, with medium to full body, supple tannins, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age and is very much in the more juicy, focused style of the vintage. (05/2024)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Croix de Labrie prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, and rose oil followed by hints of dark chocolate, anise, and cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and fragrant, with beautiful tension and wonderfully fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally. This is impressive. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.41. (05/2024)