2021 Château Croix de Labrie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Winery Château Croix de Labrie

Château Croix de Labrie is a small-scale and ambitious estate in Saint-Émilion, run by Axelle and Pierre Courdurié. The winery operates entirely organically and combines traditional expertise with a meticulous, modern approach. With just 5.2 hectares of vineyard, they cultivate small plots with meticulous attention to detail, low yields, and a clear focus on terroir expression. The Croix de Labrie style is rich and concentrated, yet always built on freshness and structure.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Saint-Émilion and the 2021 vintage

Saint-Émilion is known for its wide variety of soils and styles, ranging from limestone plateaus to clay and gravel-rich slopes. This diversity allows for wines of character and finesse, even in challenging vintages.

The 2021 vintage was cool and complex, with high rainfall and disease pressure. Thanks to low yields and strict selection, this resulted in a wine from Croix de Labrie with concentration, fresh acidity, and classic balance. The alcohol level is relatively high for the year but remains well-integrated.

Vineyards and terroir of Croix de Labrie

The vineyards of Château Croix de Labrie are spread across several lieux-dits in Saint-Émilion. The largest part is located in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, both around the estate and near Rocheyron, on clay-limestone soils. The estate also owns a plot on blue clay and gravel in Le Carteau and almost one hectare on colluvial soils below Château Pavie.

This combination of terroirs creates complexity, structure, and aromatic layers. The vineyards are farmed organically, using agroforestry and replanting through our own mass selections.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2021 Château Croix de Labrie is primarily Merlot, complemented by 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Merlot provides ripe fruit and texture, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and tension.

Cabernet Franc contributes aromatic freshness and floral nuances, giving the wine extra depth and length.

Harvest and vinification

The harvest took place between late September and mid-October, with very low yields of around 25 hectoliters per hectare. The grapes were harvested and vinified individually within each small plot.

Vinification takes place in small vats, with careful attention to extraction and texture. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wine is aged on lees for 20 to 24 months, depending on the year.

Maturation and wood use

The 2021 Croix de Labrie is aged approximately 80% in new oak barrels. This relatively high percentage of new oak gives the wine a creamy and spicy note, which, according to the estate, integrates even better with bottle aging.

The wood aging is prominent in the youth, but supports the structure and aging potential of the wine in the long term.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a deep, intense ruby red color. The nose is expressive and rich, with aromas of black cherry, plum, and red fruit compote, complemented by violets, licorice, cocoa, mocha, and a hint of mint.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a broad and concentrated attack. The tannins are firm yet juicy and fine-grained, while fresh acidity provides balance. The finish is long, spicy, and energetic.

Structure, style and storage potential

The 2021 Château Croix de Labrie is a powerful and modern Saint-Émilion with clear structure and concentration. The style is distinctive, yet carried by freshness and precision.

Thanks to its low yields, firm tannins and wood ageing, this wine has excellent ageing potential and will further refine with bottle ageing.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley rates the 2021 Croix de Labrie 90–92 points, praising its rich texture, ripe fruit, and powdery tannins, with a clear role for new oak. James Suckling awards 96 points, praising its concentration, energy, and fresh acidity, with great aging potential. Neal Martin rates the wine 91 points, calling it a successful and characterful interpretation of the vintage, while Antonio Galloni awards 92 points, highlighting its depth and expression. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Would you like to order Château Croix de Labrie wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

Venison stew with cloves and bay leaf matches the concentration and spiciness.

Roasted duck leg with lentils and thyme goes well with the ripe tannins and fresh acidity.

Grilled portobello with balsamic vinegar, rosemary and hazelnut works beautifully with the earthy notes.

Slow-cooked veal sucade with carrot and orange peel enhances the depth of the wine.

Ravioli filled with mushroom, truffle oil and Parmesan cheese complements the creamy texture.

Blue-veined cheese such as Bleu des Causses offers a powerful yet balanced contrast.