Camille de Labrie AOC Bordeaux 2023

Camille de Labrie is the approachable side of the Croix de Labrie family of wines, better known on our shelves for its Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. This one carries the plain AOC Bordeaux label, but there is nothing plain about the winemaking. It is 80% Merlot from clay-limestone soils and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from gravel over limestone, aged for 16 months, ten of them in barrel.

Expect blackcurrant, raspberry and liquorice, a cool hint of menthol and something floral, all on mellow, velvety tannins. 2023 was a nervy season in Bordeaux but turned out rather better than feared, and this shows what careful growers made of it. James Suckling has scored it 92–93 points. This is everyday claret with real polish.

At a glance: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon · AOC Bordeaux · organic · vegan · 16 months' ageing

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