Château Croix de Labrie 2021 – Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

(90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc) The nose is racy and reveals nice finesse of grain, intensity, a fine powdery edge as well as a fine intensity. There are notes of wild blackcurrant, graphite and slightly camphor combined with hints of violet, lily, wild raspberry, fleshy wild berries as well as hints of black pepper, fresh tobacco and a subtle, almost sappy edge. The palate is fruity, balanced, racy, nicely conducted, precise and shows juiciness, a nice acidic spine, gourmandize, freshness, minerality, a certain intensity, straightness, a delicate “infusion” character as well as a nice energy/dynamism. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, ripe/pulpy cherry and more slightly fresh/juicy blackcurrant combined with hints of violet, camphor, black pepper, almost varietal points as well as a subtle hint of saffron (in its floral side) and toast. A nice work on the positive bitter taste and the “salinity / sapidity”. The tannins are elegant, racy and precise. A subtle hint of orange peel in the background.