Château La Lagune 2021

The story of Château La Lagune is physical proof that sometimes the properties with the most potential in Bordeaux are underestimated.  A Third Growth Château fallen into complete disrepair, dismissed by many professionals in the wine industry, one day could become one of the better value wines in the Haut Médoc.  All it takes is a small group of people with a tremendous amount of passion, faith, and discipline to revitalize an estate and get things in order again.  

Château La Lagune is an extremely old property, with a history that dates back to the 16th Century, during the reign of King Henry IV.  The Dutch engineers drained the water from the marshes and swamps, which enabled people to start making wine in this area.  In 1715, the classically styled chateau was built by the great architect Baron Victor Louis who built the Grand Theatre in Bordeaux.  The property was owned by the de Seze family, who oversaw it for multiple generations.  In the 1950s, the estate was in total disrepair due to issues caused by World War II, the economic crisis, and frosts.  Of its 80-hectares, only 5 hectares were planted with vines.  It was in such poor condition, even seasoned veterans like Alexis Lichine scoffed at the impossible task of revitalizing Château La Lagune.  There was one man who stood up to the tall order – George Brunet, an entrepreneur.  He replanted the vineyard and constructed one of the most sophisticated wineries in the Médoc.  Brunet sold the property to the Ayala Champagne firm, who installed a revolutionary series of pipelines from the vats to the barrel-aging cellars that transport the wine without exposing it to air.

The property is presently run by the accomplished and impressive Caroline Frey from the Frey family.  Frey’s reputation precedes her due to her connections with the legendary estate of Jaboulet in the Rhône valley – which includes the jewel of a wine, Jaboulet La Chapelle.  The Frey family has holdings in both Northern Rhône, Hermitage, and major shareholdings to the Champagne house Billecart-Salmon.  Since Caroline took over running the estate, she’s minimized the amount of time the wines of Château La Lagune spend in New Oak as she favors a fresher, more nuanced approach.  

The average age of vines on property is 40 years old, and the oldest vines are about 80 years old.  Though the wines typically favor the varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot, they are softer, purer and more expressive.  The wines of Château La Lagune can age and show the best after 6-9 years in bottle.  When enjoyed on the younger side, it is recommended the wines are decanted for 2 hours.   Many consumers taste the wines of Château La Lagune and easily mistaken them for wines from the Margaux region, not the Haut Médoc – some even consider them, “Burgundian.” For those bargain hunters who look for a great wine that over delivers, Château La Lagune is definitely one of the properties worth following.  

"A pretty middle-weight, the 2021 La Lagune offers up inviting aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with hints of licorice, loamy soil, raw cocoa and cigar wrapper. Medium-bodied, ample and succulent, it's fleshy and seamless, with an ample core of fruit, bright acids and melting tannins. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, it checks in at a modest 12.5% alcohol. Tasted four times, twice at the château." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (4/29/2022), Ratings: 90-92

"Love the beatiful sappy blue fruit that runs through the glass here, and there is character and depth through the palate. Silful winemaking with a feeling of precision, and an impressive tannic frame that holds things in place even while the fresh acidities splice through the fruit and brings things to a finish a little abruptly. 30hl/h yield. Tasted twice." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (04/07/2022), Ratings: 91

"An estate that continues to punch above its weight, the 2021 Château La Lagune sports a deep ruby/plum hue as well as a terrific bouquet of ripe black fruits, cassis, graphite, and scorched earth. One of the most serious, concentrated, age-worthy Haut-Médocs in the vintage, it has medium-bodied richness, a layered, concentrated mid-palate, background oak, and ripe tannins. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade or more. This is one that's well worth seeking out." Jeb Dunnuck, (04/03/2024), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2024-2039

"The 2021 La Lagune is a gorgeous, super-expressive wine. The aromatics alone are beguiling. Deep and beautifully layered in the glass, with striking layers of nuance, the 2021 is a knock-out. It should age gracefully for many years to come." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Ratings: 90-92+