2024 BWE WILLIAM "STEFAN" JOHNSON WINE OF THE YEAR: 2020 CHATEAU LA LAGUNE

[JimHow]

It seems only fitting that the 24th annual BWE Wine of the Year selection would be from the estate loved most by our beloved Stefan, that wine that shall remain nameless lest its popularity here elevate its market prices.

We visited Chateau La Lagune as part of our BWE trip to Bordeaux in 2015, great memories! Stefan is seen here in this video opining on the great vintages of La Lagune in the last half century:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3kZaUnaPF8

As is well documented on this site, I have enjoyed both the 2019 and 2020 Bordeaux vintages, although I have usually given the edge to 2019. There are a few estates, however, where I have given the nod to 2020 over 2019. The 2019 La Lagune would be the greatest La Lagune ever if not for the 2020. If I'm not mistaken, I think GBF thinks the 2022 vintage is even better!

In any event, this was my note on the 2020 Chateau La Lagune after tasting it the first time:

95 Points
The 2020 Chateau La Lagune is the best La Lagune I have ever tasted. This estate has attained an apotheosis. It has a perfect balance of strength, depth, and elegance. It takes advantage of all of the strengths of modern winemaking without selling out to Parkerization and over-extraction. This wine is beautiful. The distinctive spectacular deep bright purple color is the personification of the terroir in this region. The nose is floral, the wine is rich and spicy, forthcoming, joyful. Minerally, a great expression of the Haut Medoc. I rate it an enthusiastic 95 points. The 14% alcohol level is a complete non-factor. At $49, I will easily buy at least another 6 bottles, maybe more. I'd like to try the 2019 and see how it compares. Pretty tough to beat this 95 point 2020 beauty. Love it. Rating: 95 points.

So it is written, so it shall be done. Congratulations to the 2020 Chateau La Lagune, the 24th annual BWE William "Stefan" Johnson Wine of the Year! It now joins the great pantheon of past BWE wines of the year over the past quarter century!

BWE WINE OF THE YEAR

2000: 1996 Sociando-Mallet
2001: 1989 Lynch-Bages
2002: 1995 d'Yquem
2003: 1999 Haut Brion Blanc
2004: 2000 Pichon Baron and 2000 du Tertre
2005: 2000 Margaux
2006: 2003 Pontet-Canet
2007: 2002 Leoville Poyferre
2008: 2005 Burgundy vintage (protest vote)
2009: 1989 Lafite Rothschild
2010: 2005 Cantemerle
2011: 2008 Leoville Poyferre
2012: 2009 Giscours
2013: 2004 Smith Haut Lafitte
2014: 2010 Chasse Spleen
2015: 2012 Leoville Las Cases
2016: 2012 Barde-Haut
2017: 2014 Calon Segur
2018: 2015 Brane Cantenac
2019: 2016 Tour Saint Christophe
2020: 2016 Leoville Barton and 2008 Dom Perignon
2021: 2014 La Conseillante
2022: 2016 Grand Puy Lacoste
2023: 2019 Montrose
2024: 2020 La Lagune

[DavidG]

A most worthy recipient.

You might take some heat from Stefan for the unwelcome publicity but this is a current release so maybe he’ll let it slide.

[Jay Winton]

Great choice! I have one bottle of 96SM remaining-my first enablement by the BWE devils!

[stefan]

Good thing I bought this before the BD decided to boost the price.

Keep in mind that older LLs are mostly swill, should not be purchased, and, most importantly, not be bid on at auctions.

[JCNorthway]

I have so far purchased one case of 2020 Bordeaux, and it happens to be this one. I credit it to BWE enablement.

[Nicklasss]

A very good selection as La Lagune is producing solid Haut Médoc these days, and deserve our WOTY status since a long time. Happy i nailed it before the annoncement.

I guess we have to prepare ourselves to some price increase in the next coming vintages…