Croix De Labrie 2023 (750ML)

97-98 JS / 94-96 WI /93-95 JD / 91-93 VM

This is very unique and spicy, with white pepper, salt, iodine and oyster shell. Blackberry and black licorice, too. Medium to full body with great freshness, but it’s very structured with fine and chewy tannins, before finishing fresh and energetic. Crunchy. 3.41 pH and 14.2% alcohol. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. All biodynamically grown grapes. Better than 2022? - James Suckling

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. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

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. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2023 Croix de Labrie has a refined and delineated bouquet of expressive black fruit laced with iris flower and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth, almost sensual opening. There is a slight savory touch here, but it’s elegant and refined on the finish. The 2023 is probably earlier-drinking than other vintages, but it’s nonetheless well-crafted and may well gain matière during barrelmaturation. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media