2020 Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

The 2020 Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a richly crafted Right Bank Bordeaux that captures the intensity and elegance of its exceptional terroir. Produced in tiny quantities from predominantly Merlot, this is a deeply colored, concentrated wine that showcases both power and finesse. Farmed biodynamically and matured in French oak, it offers a thoroughly modern expression of Saint-Émilion while remaining true to the region’s classic traditions. What sets this wine apart is its combination of opulent, ripe black fruit with a finely etched structure and remarkable precision. The clay-limestone soils of Saint-Émilion lend depth, freshness and minerality, while careful élevage in mostly new French oak adds spice, polish and complexity. Though crafted in a contemporary, luxurious style, Château Croix de Labrie draws on the long heritage of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, a designation historically reserved for the appellation’s more rigorously produced and ageworthy wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru shows an opaque, deep purple to almost black core with a vivid violet rim, signaling both youth and concentration. The nose is intense and layered, opening with blackberries, black cherries and ripe blueberries, followed by notes of plum compote, crushed violet, and forest floor. Subtle hints of nutmeg, allspice, white pepper, and fine cedar from the oak integrate gracefully, adding complexity without dominating the fruit. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and precise, with a dense, ripe core of dark fruit framed by ultra-fine yet powerful tannins. Flavors of blackberry, black plum and blueberry coulis are intertwined with graphite, cocoa nib, and a touch of sweet baking spices. There is a vibrant line of freshness that keeps the richness in check, giving the wine lift and energy through a long, polished finish. Still very youthful, the 2020 has significant aging potential; it will begin to show more harmony and tertiary complexity after a few years in bottle and should evolve beautifully for 12–18 years from vintage, and potentially longer in a good cellar.

Production
The grapes for Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru are sourced from low-yielding parcels on the renowned clay-limestone slopes and plateaus of Saint-Émilion, an area particularly well-suited to Merlot. The biodynamically farmed vines are carefully tended throughout the growing season to achieve optimal ripeness and concentration, with rigorous bunch selection in the vineyard and at the sorting table. Harvest is typically done by hand in small crates, parcel by parcel, to preserve fruit integrity and capture the nuances of each plot. In the cellar, the grapes are gently vinified in small tanks, allowing for precise temperature control and extraction. The wine is then aged in a high proportion of new French oak barrels, which contributes structure, spice and refinement while respecting the purity of the fruit. This meticulous approach results in a wine that clearly reflects both its terroir and the house’s artisanal philosophy.

Food & Serving
This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a superb partner for rich, savory dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, beef tenderloin, duck breast, or slow-cooked beef cheeks. It also pairs beautifully with mushroom-based dishes, truffle risotto, game birds, and aged hard cheeses like Comté, Manchego or mature Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both its aromatic complexity and structural depth. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to soften the tannins and allow the bouquet to fully unfurl; as it gains bottle age, a shorter decant or careful splash in a carafe will be sufficient to remove sediment and awaken the wine.

Producer
Château Croix de Labrie is a boutique estate within the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, known for its very small production and exceptionally high quality. Working primarily with Merlot, complemented by a small proportion of Cabernet varieties, the château has built a reputation for crafting concentrated, expressive wines that showcase the full potential of Saint-Émilion’s clay-limestone terroir. Over the years, the property has embraced meticulous vineyard work and biodynamic practices, resulting in wines with remarkable purity, intensity and elegance. Within the region, Croix de Labrie is often regarded as one of the standout small producers, regularly attracting attention from critics and collectors for its dense color, rich fruit profile, refined tannins and consistently impressive critical acclaim.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.