La Lagune 2016 - love or hate?

[greatbxfreak]

2016 La Lagune from the bottle!

Yves Beck - 96p

Antonio Galloni - 84p

Anybody else did taste it from the bottle?

Who's correct in the assessment and who's totally f..... it up?

Let's know.

[jckba]

Either Galloni missed the boat, had an off btl or mixed up 2 wines as I loved the btl I tasted yesterday at the UGC — dark fruited, plush and multidimensional with long finish; BUY (93-95)

[JCNorthway]

Perhaps Galloni's review will drive the price down.

[greatbxfreak]

jckba,

Excellent! Was the tasting in Washington? How was Pichon Comtesse and Petit Village?

I got an email from La Lagune's cellarmaster, Maylis de Laborderie few hours ago after I asked if they knew about rating - they are shocked and disappointed by the rating. They think it maybe was a bad bottle. Galloni gave barrel sample two years ago 84-87p.

[Comte Flaneur]

Trust me Galloni messed up.

2016 La Lagune is magnificent, the best the property ever produced.

I had no hesitation in buying a case. Really I should have bought a few cases.

[greatbxfreak]

I think so too Ian.

How can Galloni get so wrong on a wine?

Bought some bottles too.

[OrlandoRobert]

I think so too Ian.

How can Galloni get so wrong on a wine?

Bought some bottles too.

Is Galloni ever right? His notes are abysmal.

Does seem like an outlier score for this points guy.

[hautbrionlover]

I tasted the ‘16 La Lagune last night and also thought it was excellent.

[DavidG]

Haven’t tasted it but based on past vintages I’d guess the truth is somewhere in between ratings of 84 and 96.

So Galloni rated a barrel sample 84-87 and gave an in-bottle score of 84? Sounds like he doesn’t like it rather than an off bottle. I don’t subscribe to Vinous and can’t find his review on any of the merchant websites (no wonder!). What did his note say? Does he rate La Lagune in the low-mid 80s in other good years? I see a Galloni score of 92 for the 2015.

And who is Yves Beck? 96 points is even higher than Suckling's score.

[Jay Winton]

Jeff Leve also likes it and pre arrival prices seem reasonable. Calling Father Stefan!

[stefan]

I have not tasted the 2016, Jay.

[greatbxfreak]

DavidG,

Yves Beck is a Swiss wine writer, called Beckustator, who's tasted over 1100 wines in vintage 2016 last year, in comparative tastings, both big names and many small names. As me he is every year for primeur but comes twice afterwards to Bx.

His website is in German and French and so are his TNs. https://www.yvesbeck.wine

Since UGCB hasn't found the way to Denmark since 1997, I'm going to retaste La Lagune 2016 in the second week of April at the property.

I rated it 95-96p from the barrel in April 2018, few monts before bottling. [

b]Tasted twice - last time in April 2018. Consistent notes. Truly remarkable wine because of its stunning structure, minerality, elegance, length, balance and immensely seductive approach. All in silk and velvet. This wine is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.[/b]

Actually I liked 2015 La Lagune tasted together with 2016 a bit more! 96p.

Great, great qpr for the money!

[Blanquito]

Galloni gives out 97 pts these days like party favors. 84 pts from him (or Suckling or Dunnuck) = undrinkable. Must be a mixup.

[greatbxfreak]

Blanquito,

I don't know Jeb Dunnuck's rating. He recently "destroyed" 2014 Bordeaux calling it very boring and unripe vintage. He's Rhone specialist.

Suckling likes La Lagune.

John Gilman - who knows?

Neal Martin - waiting for his rating. He wrote last year a very nice article about Caroline and hers La Lagune. Maybe he underestimates a little bit the elegance and potential of La Lagune. I'm pretty sure his rating will be much, much higher than 84p, which imho looks like huge foul play.

[DavidG]

Thanks Otto. I don’t trust Suckling's ratings but impressed with your write up. Looks like a winner and widely available at $50-60/bottle.

Here’s a group of notes taken from K&L Wines public website. These are pre-bottling so probably not as accurate as more recent notes.

94-95 points James Suckling
This is wonderful and perhaps the best La Lagune since 1982. Full body, yet the texture is amazing giving it a plush, silky texture that makes it formed and beautiful. Thick and melting in the mouth. Lots of forest floor, tar and black currant character. Very persistent finish. Energy. From organically grown grapes. (6/2017)

93 points Decanter
Now certified organic, and converting to biodynamics from this year. It displays a confident weight to the damson fruits that are hugely elegant and well placed. A little closed when tasted on two occasions, and the high Petit Verdot content of this wine is no doubt contributing to its slight austerity at this stage, but it also brings that beautifully welcome whoosh of black fruit spicing. Very good quality, elegant and long-ageing, just a dash below the exceptional 2015. (JA) (4/2017)

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 la Lagune has a medium garnet-purple color and nose of intense cassis, warm cherries, redcurrants and spice box with earth and bay leaves in the undercurrent. The medium-bodied, earth-laced palate is plush and lively, finishing long. (LPB) (11/2018)

Jancis Robinson
Really fragrant with pure black fruit. Savoury and herbal as well as having dark fruit at the core. Firm, chewy tannins. A rush of honest bordeaux character here. Firm but smooth and excellent harmony for the long term. 16.5+/20 points. (JH) (10/2018)

[Comte Flaneur]

https://www.farrvintners.com/wine.php?wine=45963

Neal Martin 93-95

I think he may have revised higher

[Harry C.]

Tasted at UGC NYC. Disappointed. Will not be buying. Better wines for the price out there in this year.

[jckba]

Tasted at UGC NYC. Disappointed. Will not be buying. Better wines for the price out there in this year.

Just curious as to what the better under $50 wines were for your palate?

[greatbxfreak]

93p from Neal Martin.

[Comte Flaneur]

I think Neal is just trying to let Galloni down gently. He probably lopped off a few points to spare his colleague’s blushes.

[Harry C.]

Some of the lesser Margaux, Chasse Spleen, lesser St Emilion. And if you liked the 2003 Sauternes (on the rich side) 2016 is for you.

[Chateau Vin]

Tasted at the UGC, LA event yesterday.

I think Galloni was wrong, although I would rate it around 91/92 or something. It was fresh and balanced on the palate with good nose. But I liked 15 version slightly better than the 16 version. For good qpr, 16 cantemerle would give 16 la lagune a run for its money...

[greatbxfreak]

Harry C,

2016 Sauternes wines aren't imho very far from to 2003.

This vintage lacks acidity and sweetness. 2015 and 2017 are much better. 2018 looks like twin brother of 2016.

Meyney is great qpr for money. Neal Martin hasn't rated it, Galloni did (93p) and it's cheaper than La Lagune.

However I'm going to retaste both at their respective properties in April this year.

[Blanquito]

For good qpr, XXX cantemerle would give XXX la lagune a run for its money...

Fixed it (for me, at any rate).

Other than Sociando, are there any other QPRs in Bordeaux with the track record of excellent and fair pricing of these two chateau?