2022 Chateau Croix de Labrie Saint Emilion Grand Cru

~ #25 Top 100 French Wines of 2025 by James Suckling

~ #55 Top 100 Wines of 2025 by 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. ~99 James Suckling

Deep purple-hued, the 2022 Chateau 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. ~97 Jeb Dunnuck

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. ~95 Vinous Media

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. ~95 Decanter

Fleshy and forward in feel, with melted red licorice coating a core of blackberry and plum compote notes. The finish is toasty, but there's ample fruit, along with a sparkle of savory for energy. For the hedonist crowd. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2036. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported. ~91 Wine Spectator

***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of This Wine***