Saint-Émilion AOP - Château Croix de Labrie

Saint-Émilion AOP - Château Croix de Labrie shines in the glass with a deep, dense-looking ruby-red color and violet reflections at the rim. The nose reveals an intense bouquet of ripe dark fruit, blackberries and black cherries, accompanied by notes of raspberries and red berries. Subtle nuances of cedar, delicate vanilla, tobacco and a touch of cocoa round out the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is powerful yet silky, with densely woven fruit and precise structure. The tannins are mature, fine-grained and elegantly integrated, while the acidity provides freshness and tension. The style is classically Bordeaux, with clear fruit, depth and a long, aromatically persistent finish.

This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the finest sites of the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux. Merlot provides abundant fruit and richness, Cabernet Franc contributes floral and spicy accents, while Cabernet Sauvignon lends backbone, structure and aging potential. The interplay of these grape varieties unfolds in the glass with impressive complexity, making every detail of the limestone and clay terroir perceptible.

• Color: deep ruby red with violet shimmer
• Aromas: dark fruit, raspberry, red berries, delicate spice
• Palate: dry, dense, elegant, long finish
• Structure: balanced acidity, mature tannins, powerful body
• Style: classic Old World, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

1. Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Region: Bordeaux, subregion Saint-Émilion
3. Country: France
4. Alcohol content: 12.5% vol.
5. Bottle size: 0.75-liter Bordeaux bottle

On the palate, Saint-Émilion AOP - Château Croix de Labrie unfolds layers of ripe cassis, black cherry and plum, underscored by hints of licorice, graphite and a delicate smoky note. The texture is silky, almost creamy, yet simultaneously pronounced and taut. With increasing aeration, complex nuances of dried herbs, undergrowth and a touch of coffee emerge. The finish lingers for a long time, leaving traces of dark fruit, delicate spice and subtle roasted aromas.

Production of Saint-Émilion AOP - Château Croix de Labrie

The grapes for this Grand Cru come from carefully selected parcels around Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes in the renowned Saint-Émilion appellation. Bordeaux’s climate is influenced by the Atlantic, with mild winters, warm summers and evenly distributed rainfall. Limestone and clay soils, in some areas covered with loamy layers, give the vines depth and shape the typical minerality and finesse of this wine. Old vines with low yields produce concentrated, richly aromatic grapes of exceptional quality.

The harvest is carried out with the utmost selectivity, parcel by parcel and usually by hand, to ensure a precise selection of optimally ripe berries. The teams sort rigorously in the vineyard, removing inferior grapes. After transport to the winery, a second selection takes place on the sorting table. Only flawless, aromatically concentrated berries proceed to fermentation.

Fermentation takes place under temperature control in stainless-steel tanks or small vessels, allowing each parcel to be vinified individually. Gentle extraction through careful punch-downs brings color, structure and tannin into perfect balance in the wine. The blend then matures in selected oak barrels, some of them made from new French oak. During this maturation period, the wine develops complexity, depth and delicate roasted aromas without losing its freshness and fruit intensity.

The style of Château Croix de Labrie winery clearly shapes this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Precision in the vineyard, meticulous craftsmanship in the cellar and a clear vision of elegance and finesse are at the heart of the approach. Merlot dominates the blend, lending charm and volume, while Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon provide structure, spice and longevity. The result delights with refined texture, expressive fruit and a remarkable balance between power and finesse.

Serving suggestions for Saint-Émilion AOP - Château Croix de Labrie

This red wine reveals its full potential in a large Bordeaux glass, which showcases its aromas of dark fruit and delicate spice to impressive effect. Served at approximately 15 to 18°C, the interplay of fruit, oak and structure appears particularly harmonious. Gentle aeration in a decanter before serving intensifies the aromatic depth and gradually opens up the multilayered blend.

As a food pairing, this Saint-Émilion is ideal with rich, dark-flavored dishes. Braised dishes with beef, lamb or game, quickly seared beef with herbs or roasted duck breast harmonize superbly with the dense fruit and elegant tannins. Spicy dishes with Mediterranean herbs, pepper or a refined pepper sauce suit the wine particularly well. Hearty mushroom dishes, truffle pasta or aged hard and semi-hard cheeses also develop fascinating depth when paired with this Grand Cru.

• Perfect with red meat and braised dishes
• Excellent with spicy creations featuring herbs and pepper
• Ideal for traditional evenings featuring French cuisine
• An expressive gift for good friends and wine lovers

This wine is an excellent choice for a traditional evening with French specialties, for example with entrecôte, herb-crusted rack of lamb or a rich selection of cheeses from Bordeaux. As part of a celebratory menu, it accompanies main courses with dark sauces and bold flavors in impressive fashion. As a gift for good friends, this bottle makes a particularly stylish impression with its classic Bordeaux presentation.

With suitable storage, this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru can develop over several years. A cool, dark room with a constant temperature and the bottle stored horizontally protects it from external influences. Over time, the wine develops additional maturity and secondary aromas, while the tannins continue to gain finesse. It already impresses today with great harmony; with further aging, even greater aromatic complexity and a silkier texture emerge.

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