# Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (2021)

- **Producer:** Château Croix de Labrie
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €120
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, violet, liquorice, vanilla, chocolate, toast, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Croix de Labrie is one of Saint-Émilion's most compelling modern success stories, managed by the husband-and-wife team of Axelle and Pierre Courdurié. Originally a legendary 'garage wine' in the late 1990s, the estate's tiny 5.17-hectare 'garden vineyard' is spread across three distinct micro-terroirs: Badon, Le Cateau, and the Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes plateau. This mosaic of clay, limestone, and gravel soils yields exceptional complexity. The estate's meteoric rise in quality and prestige culminated in its official elevation to Grand Cru Classé status in the 2022 Saint-Émilion Classification.

## Interesting facts

- Originally a legendary 'garage wine' in the 1990s, the entire production was once aged in the owner's residential garage.
- The estate was officially promoted to Grand Cru Classé status in the landmark 2022 Saint-Émilion Classification.
- Critics refer to the wine's Cabernet Franc component as the 'Angel in the Bottle' for its exotic floral lift.

## Food pairing

This structured, medium-to-full-bodied Saint-Émilion Grand Cru pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes. The wine's vibrant acidity cuts through the fat of roasted meats like duck and lamb, while its refined, powdery tannins are softened by proteins. The earthy undertones of the blend harmonize perfectly with forest floor elements like wild mushrooms and black truffles.

## Wine making process

The winemaking at Château Croix de Labrie is highly meticulous and certified organic and biodynamic. Yields are kept exceptionally low, averaging just 20 to 24 hl/ha through strict canopy management and green harvesting. Grapes are hand-harvested in small crates and undergo a rigorous four-stage sorting process, including densiometric sorting. Fermentation is gravity-fed into small, temperature-controlled vats to isolate individual parcel characteristics. The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels, with the new oak proportion intentionally reduced to 80% for the 2021 vintage to preserve fruit purity and elegance.