Croix de Labrie
Press 2020
Latest notes and latest articles.
James Suckling: 98 -99 Points
The focus and texture of this wine is really something. It's totally transpatent with blackberries, blueberries, earth, stone and mushrooms. Flowers too. Full-bodied with firm tannins that give super form and length to this. Freshness. Almost all merlot with tiny dash of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Perhaps the best ever? Certainly at the same level as the 2019. About 14,000 bottles made.
VertdeVin: 98 Points
"The nose is elegant, subtle and offers delicacy, harmony, depth, a nice multi-layered side as well as a nice finesse and precision of the grain. We find notes of crushed blackberry, ripe strawberry / fresh and more slightly of bright blueberry associated with touches of bright cherry, vanilla, fresh hazelnut, with very discreet hints of fresh blueberry, graphite, zan as well as a subtle hint of Cuben pepper, camphor / liquorice and with a subtle hint of almost white flowers. The palate is full, fleshy, balanced and offers a very nice freshness, juiciness, minerality, a certain density, depth, richness in delicacy, precision, a beautiful structure, power in delicacy / precision, creaminess (in finesse and freshness), a massive side (in elegance) as well as a nice acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy blackberry / bright, plump blueberry / bright and more lightly bright raspberry associated with touches of bright little blue berries, luscious / creamy blue plum, hints of tonka bean, hazelnut as well as discreet hints of gray pepper, graphite, with a subtle hint of toasted and sweet spices. The tannins are massive and offer mellowness. A very nice persistence and flavor in the back of the mouth. Presence of a very discreet hint of coffee on the persistence. Nice persistence of 16 caudalies. "
Tom Mullen: 97+ Points
From Axelle and Pierre Courdurié comes this 92/5/3 Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon Blend. A dizzying flurry of energetic rich red fruit aromas — a complex melee of wild strawberries, sliced black cherries, morels, chocolate wafers and even peppermint candy cane. Excellent integration between fruit, acidity and layered tannins provides a deeply scrumptious mid palate of profound fruit and a rich, enduring finish with a lick of anise. This is a vibrant, succulent, three-layer cake of elegant complexity. Spectacular. Consider pairing with a filet mignon, or a vegetable and black pepper broth.
Thomas Boxberger: 96-97 Points
"Der 2020er Croix de Labrie besteht aus 92% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc und 3% Cabernet Sauvignon mit 14% Alkohol. Aufgrund des Lehms und Kalkstein im Untergrund der verschiedenen Lagen von Croix de Labrie gab es keinen Trockenstress oder blockage. Geerntet wurde früh , um die Frische zu bewahren. 20% of Leseguts wurde in offenen 500-Liter-Tonneaux vergoren (integral vinification). Schwarze Farbe, satt und viskos. Superverdichtete Nase, sehr dunkelbeerig, extrem frisch und ausgestattet mit Graphit, Schokolade und Rauch. medizinale Kopfnote im Duft weist auf den Ensatz von feinsten Holzfässern hin, dabei wirkt das komplexe Bouquet aber auch extrem tief und differenziert, mit kühl gehaltener Frucht, ganz frisch und rotbeerig. Ein Teil des Lesegutes steuert diealkterhalstein-note der un Komplexe der un Komplexe Coast of Pavia bei und dominiert das Duftbild mit kalkiger Note, delikat, reif-likörig und mit hochfeiner Frucht. Straff und sehr verdichtet im Mund, zeigt der Croix de Lab rie 2020 sehr feine Gerbstoffe mit toller Rasse, sehr feinkörnig strukturiert und mit ausgezeichnetem Fluss und Energie. Etwas schlanker als erwartet, ist der 2020er mehr auf Frische und Eleganz ausgerichtet, zeigt sich sehr poliert und finessenreich, jedoch nicht ganz so weit und zunächst etwas trockener im Verlauf. Hinten saftet der Croix de Labrie gut nach, dabei kommen die Cabernets kühl durch, der satte Merlot-Schmelz folgt hinterher mit sehr guter Länge. Guter, rassiger Croix de Labrie, der an frühere Jahrgänge von Château l'Arrosée (bis 2000) erinnert, der einen einzigartigen, cabernetgeprägten Charakter besaß. Damals war l'Arrosée einer meiner Lieblingsweine, nur ist der Croix de Labrie heute wesentlich sauberer, präziser und klarer. Bei weiteren Proben aus der Originalflasche in kleine 100ml-Muster pipettiert, zeigte sich der Croix de Labrie noch über eine Woche süßich konzentriert, mit viel Kirschfrucht und feinem Holz, sehr intensiv am Gaumen mit extrem hoher Konzentration und Großeglitung mit extrem hoher Konzentration und Großeglit Wuchtungt ! "
Izak Litwar: 96 - 97 Points
“A blend of 92% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classy nose with liquorice and raspberries, great complexity, vibrant, luscious fruit and grained tannin, fine acidity and intense finish. A sophisticated wine with a great personality. It perfectly combines the best things from 2018 and 2019 vintages. 96-97p. "
Jeff Leve The Wine Cellar Insider: 96 - 97 Points
Inky dark purple, almost opaque in color, the wine explodes with a boatload of cassis, black plum liqueur, chocolate, smoke, licorice and espresso. Thick, dense and powerful, the wine paints your palate with chocolate-covered black and blue fruit, licorice and black forest cake. With its velvet textures and endless layers of sweet, ripe, supple textured fruits, this is clearly another step-up in quality for Croix de Labrie.
Bernard Burtschy: 96 - 97 Points
Yves Beck: 95-96 Points
92% Merlot, 5% Cabernet franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
What intensity in this bouquet! It is marked by freshness thanks to chalky nuances, mint and black berry notes. Character dancing and fresh in the mouth. The body has fat thanks to fine-grained tannins, and tension, which owes to its acidity and its calcareous soil. Good aromatic expression from the attack to the finish. A racy, energetic wine with a crunchy structure endowed with an acidity worthy of a Jedi lightsaber. Persistent fruity and mineral finish.
Jean-Marc Quarin: 95 Points
Top 10 of Saint-Emilion
Intense color, purple and black. Very aromatic, fine nose with ripe fruit. Truffle touch. Soft on the palate, rich in the middle and at the same time melting, the wine develops rich and full, with taste and a superb touch of mouth in the persistence. Very nice, dry length. Here is the eighth vintage produced, all at the level of a 1er Grand Cru Classé B from Saint-Emilion. Well done ! Blend: 92% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, 3% cabernet sauvignon. Degree of alcohol: 14 °. pH: 3.55. Yield: 27 hl / ha. Production: 85% of the harvest.
Markus Del Monego: 94Points
Dark purple color with violet hue and black core. Very opulent nose with distinct toasting aroma, dark chocolate, mocha and hints of cold smoke, in balance with a wonderful juicy fruit, blackberries, black cherries, elderberry jam. On the palate rich character, with an opulent taste, excellent start and good mid palate, with flavourful length. A powerful wine however displaying great freshness.