Château La Lagune 2015

Particular aromatic complexity, austere and almost angular in character, with noticeable acidity, yet remarkable drive and length; needs some aging.

This showcases just how well the Margaux (or Margaux-adjacent) area did in 2015. The finessed quality of the tannins stands out as a signature of the estate throughout the entire vertical, and is on display again here. As the wine opens there is a slow and unhurried peeling back of layers, with an unrolling of menthol and cassis-laced Cabernet aromatics (there is a full 70% in the blend this year, and it works extremely well). Excellent balance and grip with touches of violet aromatics. 50% new oak.

Just a hint of currant on the nose. This is loaded with healthy tannins on the palate that drive the long finish. Quite an uncompromising young wine that will be better from 2020, but the fundamental harmony is very convincing. Full and flavorful.

Tasted blind. Rich, intense, ambitious nose. Lots of tannin and future. But the fruit seems to stand up to the tannins. Not nearly ready. (JR)

The 2015 La Lagune is terrific. Powerful and dense on the palate, with big, potent tannins, it will need at least a few years to fully come together. Hints of tobacco, cedar, licorice and smoke add shades of aromatic nuance. This is a fabulous effort. Don't miss it.

It might be the tobacco, licorice, wet earth, flowers and ripe red fruits that you notice first. But it is the elegant textures, sweet, pure, refined fruits and the silky tannins that will stick with you the longest.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Restrained, delicate herbal savouriness, tobacco, red forest berry confit in the background. Medium complexity, some blackberry confit, vivid, somewhat rough tannins, rustic style, somewhat dry finish, sweet aftertaste.

Managed by Caroline Frey (of Paul Jaboulet Aîné in the Rhône Valley), the 2015 Château La Lagune is an impressive, elegant, concentrated Haut-Médoc that’s going to be even better with short-term cellaring. Cassis, toasty oak, Asian spices, and black tea notes all emerge from this medium- to full-bodied, layered and lengthy Haut-Médoc. Count me in as a fan, and it’s up with the top wines produced from this estate.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Dark-berry bouquet showing tremendous depth, already revealing summer truffle, smoky nuances and tobacco notes. Dense, fleshy palate with appropriate astringency, finishing harmoniously. At long last, an unquestionably great La Lagune again. However, not all tasters rated it as highly. So this could potentially become a polarizing wine.

TWO VERY SPECIAL BARRELS Long live the fine distinction. Take a close look at the photo. In addition to the regular La Lagune, the team aged two barrels as one hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon. We were able to taste this as well. It was very floral, full of black-berried fruit, with hints of clove and dark roses. On the palate, leaner yet more muscular than the main wine. However, this experiment is for internal use only, in order to track the evolution of a single-varietal Cabernet. So this mini-production is by no means to be regarded as a spectacular super-cuvée. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. A dark-berry bouquet showing tremendous depth; you already find summer truffle, smoky nuances and tobacco notes. Dense, fleshy palate with a fitting astringency; the finish fades out harmoniously. At last, an unquestionably great La Lagune again. However, not all tasters rated it so highly. So this could become a potentially polarizing wine.

Mineral, fragrant bouquet with raspberries, redcurrants, mint, cedar. Balanced, elegant, classic palate with a dense, finely knit structure, delicate fruit, good tannins, and a long, finely bitter finish with good afteraromas. Can improve further. 17/20 2023 - 2036

A little more severe than two years ago, yet with the same freshness and beautiful maturity of the Cabernet Sauvignon; by nature less fruity than its peers, which puts it at a slight disadvantage in blind tastings.

Extremely refined, with fruit-forward flavors, a delicate texture yet plenty of power, it stands out as a fine benchmark for the cru.

Bright ruby red. Elegant bouquet of good intensity, marked by freshness, spice and fruity notes. The attack is luscious and creamy. On the palate, the wine is compact and dense, well supported by its tannins, and endowed with a surprising structure that provides excellent backbone. This structure is lively and ideally supports the fruity expression on the finish. I had already noted this structure during the tasting of the released samples. Patience is still required.

Beautiful dark, purple color. Moderately intense nose with ripe, creamy, and spicy fruit. Soft on the attack, juicy as it develops, very fruity and flavorful, the wine glides across the palate. It finishes very pleasantly, with contour but no harsh edges, and good length.