# Les Hauts de Labrie (2022)

- **Producer:** Château Croix de Labrie
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot 85%, Cabernet Franc 15%
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Average price:** €29
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, red cherry, red plum, redcurrant, vanilla, cloves, cedar, smoke, tobacco, leather, earth

## About this wine

Les Hauts de Labrie 2022 is a red wine from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation in Bordeaux, France, produced by Château Croix de Labrie. The wine is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, crafted by winemakers Axelle and Pierre Courdurié. The estate is known for its meticulous, garden-like approach to viticulture, employing organic and biodynamic practices. This particular bottling utilizes fruit from the estate's younger vines, offering a vibrant and expressive introduction to the Château's high-quality, small-production 'garage wine' style.

## Interesting facts

- The estate is considered a 'garage wine' producer, known for small-scale, high-quality production.
- Axelle Courdurié is the dedicated winemaker, often described as an 'alchemist'.
- Vineyards are managed using organic and biodynamic principles.
- The wine is made from the estate's younger vines, offering early accessibility.

## Food pairing

The medium body and ripe tannins of Les Hauts de Labrie complement the richness of proteins like lamb and beef, while its cherry notes harmonize with fruit-based sauces. Subtle herbal undertones in the wine can echo herbs used in cooking, creating a balanced and integrated dining experience.

## Wine making process

Les Hauts de Labrie 2022 is produced using grapes from the younger vines of Château Croix de Labrie. The harvest is manual, with grapes carefully selected and transported in small crates to maintain fruit integrity. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit purity. The wine then undergoes 14 months of aging in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new, to develop complexity and structure. The estate employs organic and biodynamic viticulture, utilizing cover crops to enrich the soil.