Page 3 - Bordeaux

• Champagne Barons de Rothschild 2010, Champagne, Rated 94 (James Suckling) - It was in 2005 that five members of the Rothschild family, from Châteaux Mouton Rothschild, Clarke and Lafite Rothschild, started a project in Champagne. They purchased an established Champagne house, Maison Prieur in Vertus, and had their first harvest that year. They made their first Blanc de Blancs vintage in 2006 and set up shop in Reims in 2007. Their aim? To make an “exceptional Champagne bearing the hallmark of a great vintage, on a par with the wines produced by the family in its celebrated châteaux.”  Frédéric Mairesse, the family’s representative in Reims, says: “This project is a kind of magical idea from the Rothschild family. It’s the first time that the three branches of the family come together and associate their know-how to give birth to a co-owned wine house. To gather them all, there was only one obvious and natural choice:

Our selections for October 2021 are:

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc 2018, Pessac-Léognan, Rated: 93 (Jeb Dunnuck) - Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc 2018 is the perfect choice for any oenophile in search of a crisp, honeyed expression of white Bordeaux.  This thrilling mixture of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon is from the top-rated Grand Crus Classé, Château Smith Haut Lafitte. The estate is currently owned by the Cathiard family, who made a series of sweeping changes to the vineyards and the vat room, placing it on the trajectory of one of the sought after properties within the Pessac-Léognan appellation.  The talented Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt consult at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, ensuring that the final blend is nothing short of perfection.  

Orma Toscana 2016 & 2018, Tuscany, Rated 95 & 94 (Monica Larner) - It’s no secret that critics love Orma and have crowned it one of the premier Super Tuscans from the small, yet prestigious Bolgheri DOC.  This seductive

Our selections for August 2021 are:

• Château de Fieuzal Blanc 2014, Pessac-Léognan, rated 91-93 (Neal Martin) - Those who love thirst-quenching, fresh, zesty wines should look no further than the offerings of Château de Fieuzal Blanc.  This bright wine with beautifully balanced acidity is the perfect Summer wine and Laguna Cellar’s answer to beating the heat.  Château de Fieuzal is one of the lucky Graves Crus Classés within the prestigious Pessac-Léognan carveout in the area formerly known as the Graves region of the Left Bank.  This sprawling 70-hectare vineyard has a mere 10 hectares devoted to production of white wines and is planted with a mixture of crisp Sauvignon Blanc and the richly honeyed varietal, Semillon.  The team is consulted by the legendary Hubert de Boüard of the Saint-Émilion Grand Crus Classés Class A Estate, Château Angélus.  The vines are approximately 35 years old on average, picked diligently by hand in the finely graveled vineyards, and vinified with

Our selections for July 2021 are:

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Les Hauts de Smith Rosé 2020, Bordeaux, not rated - Summer is here, and we would like to shake things up a bit by introducing our subscribers to one of our favorite rosés: Les Hauts de Smith Rosé from the renowned Château Smith Haut Lafitte.  Château Smith Haut Lafitte has experienced an incredible rise in quality and critical acclaim over the past few vintages.  A huge push has been made toward organic viticulture in the vineyard, and this is reflected in the amazing accolades over their latest vintages of grand vin.  Though many think Bordeaux is a region that only produces red wine,  Pessac-Léognan is also known for its top-quality whites, and now rosé.  Production of rosé has been increasing throughout the region and more and more estates are crafting Cabernet or Merlot-based expressions of this delicious, pink beverage.  Bordeaux rosé – though dry – is a bit fruitier and heartier than its Provençal cousins, and

Have you tasted Château Figeac? Do you have it in your cellars?  Why do we ask these questions?  Allow us to elaborate.

Unlike the Left Bank classification of Médoc which dates back to 1855, Saint-Émilion revises its classification periodically.  The next revision is slated to be in 2022.  That’s where Château Figeac comes in.  Figeac is one of the estates currently classified as Premiers Grands Crus Classés.  This is a shortlist of 18 producers (out of hundreds) that represent the best of Saint-Émilion.  To be recognized as a member of this group is already quite the honor.  However, the crème de la crème would not be a French expression if we cannot identify a handful few that stand out among peers, nonetheless.  To recognize its best Premiers Grands Crus Classés, Saint-Émilion has its A list: the original two - Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, and the new entrants since 2012 - Château Angélus and Château Pavie.

It has been widely