1995 Château La Lagune

[Nicklasss]

Château La Lagune is a Cru Classé from Haut-Médoc, that we don't hear about too much on the Internet. Here at BWE, we're lucky to have our own fan and specialist of La Lagune, stefan. But even then, I just feel it is not a bottle that the BWE community open often... We went to La Lagune for the 2015 BWE convention, and I liked the visit there, and while I liked the wines tasted there, they are very traditionnal in style, kind of slightly austere when very young.

You know the thinking that " there are no great wines, only great bottles", so last night, was one of these night when a bottle decides to transcent what you expect. I brought back a bottle of the 1995 Château La Lagune from France, and that bottle has been opened Last night, with my bro and father. It was probably a bottle coming from perfect storage, and a "great" bottle of that wine. My father is not the kind of man to be demonstrative when enjoying wine, but that bottle of 1995 La Lagune last night, made him say that this was definitely "something". My bro also liked the wine, to the point he said that it was at a perfeçt spot right now.

That bottle of 1995 Château La Lagune was medium dark red. The nose was strong and complex, a kinda perfect 20 years old nose, with dark red berries, cherries, smoke, violet flowers, earth, old vanilla, spices, coal. What a nose! In mouth, also a great feeling, with nice balançed between tannins, acids, and all those flavors like cherries, blackberries, old noble wood, anise, light cinnamon, light blueberries, and blackcurrants. A super showing from that bottle last night, at a perfect family moment. If you have some, try one now. Tn: 92-93. An unexpected performance like that is part of the magic and mystery of wine.

Nic

[dstgolf]

Great wines are even better with great company and maybe that had something to do with the showing. Sound like a wonderful experience all around Nic.

[stefan]

95 La Lagune is interesting. I did not think much of this wine ten years ago; it was a poor sister to the wonderful 96. Last year we drank a bottle at a family dinner and stefanJr called it the best La Lagune he had drunk. Indeed, it was wonderful. You confirm that it is at a good stage of its development.

[Comte Flaneur]

Nice note Nic. Once again this estate shows the rewards of patience. Is this where the 2000 might be in five years? ( I was asking Bill because I am looking to source a 2000 for a horizontal and he suggested that it is still quite backward.)

It was quite a mixed bag at the estate wasn't it? I really liked the 12 and the 81 of course and apart from the 10 was less enamoured by what was in between: 11, 7 and 6.

[JimHow]

Don't forget the '13 Ian. Now that's a wine that will put hair on your chest.

[AKR]

Very nice.

[stefan]

The 2013 La Lagune is not a La Lagune. Maybe it will turn into a good wine, but it will not become a good La Lagune.

Ian, I am hoping that the 2000 will develop like the 1995 has, but at this point it is only a hope. I don't intend to try another one for a few years.

[JimHow]

I know everyone hated the 2013.
I honestly kind of liked it!

[Nicklasss]

Comte flaneur, you're right that the tasting at La Lagune was an "instructive mix bag". I liked the 1981, but for me, the 2006 was my favorite. Go figure why? 2010 and 2012 were really good too. From that tasting and the 1995 two days ago, I guess that La Lagune needs 15 to 20 years to be ready.

JimHow, i guess that you could match that 2013 Château La Lagune with salty iodic raw oysters, you would enjoy!

Nic

[JimHow]

I liked the 2012 La Lagune.

[Blanquito]

Just snagged a case of the 95 Lagune in pristine condition at HDH's auction for $38/bottle including premiums. Looking forward to trying this when shipping season arrives. Thanks for the insider info on this one.

[Comte Flaneur]

Wow, nice snag Patrick...probabably beats 1997 Potensac for qpr...

[stefan]

That was a great score, Patrick.

[Blanquito]

Yes, I'm pleased. I missed out on a bunch of other stuff -- I really didn't come close on most lots -- but I also somehow ended up with a case of the 2009 La Dominique on the cheap. Anyone tried it? I'm not sure I'm going to like it based on some of the notes, might be too oaky, etc.

[Comte Flaneur]

Patrick let's say it is a wine which is not backward in coming forward but you will enjoy it.

When we were at the La Dominique bistro - which overlooks the partially submerged winery of Cheval Blanc - we had the 2007 and 2010 La Ds and they were both great. The difference of course was in the mid-palate stuffing. The 2009s do not lack for that, and are marginally less alcoholic on average than the tens on the RB.

[Nicklasss]

Blanquito, good deal with that 1995 La Lagune. If these 12 bottles are like the one I brought back from Bordeaux, you'll be overpleased!

Nic