Wine Of The Month - July 2021

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 Les Hauts de Smith Rosé is an excellent example of this style.  This fresh, fruity, zippy pink beverage is perfect for Summer picnics outside and pairs beautifully with a variety of foods, ranging from crisp salads to lamb shawarma, to barbecue.  With a truly stunning pale salmon color, Les Hauts de Smith Rosé is one of the finest rosés Bordeaux has to offer and will surely bring a kiss of Summer to your glass.

Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Prestige 2018, Bourgogne, not rated - This picturesque property just outside of Savigny-lès-Beaune is one of the oldest Burgundy producers in the region. With a history dating back to the late 17th century when it was owned by the Bocquet family, Henri de Villamont has a long track record.  Legend has it that a crusading knight named Henri had retired in Savigny and taken over several of the vineyards in the area.  The property became a consistent producer with great capacity to create wines from all the major communes of Burgundy.  We would like to introduce to you Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Blanc, a classic and elegant expression of Burgundy’s other dominant varietal besides pinot noir: chardonnay.  With the perfect mixture of power and finesse, this unoaked chardonnay presents the best taste of the fruit, without artificial injection of flavors.  The vines are from the exciting and prestigious region where the limestone soils give them a brilliant minerality coupled with thirst-quenching acidity.  Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Blanc 2018 is an excellent summer wine, perfect when paired with poultry, salads, or any seafood dishes.  

Château Lillian Ladouys 2016, Saint-Estèphe, rated 91-93 (Neal Martin) - Château Lilian Ladouys is a Crus Bourgeoise Exceptionnel and one of the best hidden value from the Médoc, more specifically within the Saint-Estèphe appellation.  Thanks to the acquisition by the Lorenzetti family in 2008, the property has been thrust into the limelight once more, and the wine just keeps getting better and better.  Some of the other properties owned by the Lorenzettis are Château Pedesclaux and a portion of the legendary Margaux producer, Château d’Issan.  After the Lorenzettis invested heavily to upgrade the facilities and practices at these properties, the magic of these estates started to shine through.  Lilian Ladouys hosts terroir that is typical of Saint-Estèphe, with a mixture of gravel, clay, and limestone soils.  Some of the choicest parcels abut legendary estates like Château Calon Ségur and Château Cos d’Estournel.   A mixture of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc vines that are up to 60 years old are planted throughout, and this particular vintage of 2016 was an excellent year for Château Lilian Ladouys.  This wine is absolutely gorgeous, thanks to a mixture of clay and limestone soils.  There is a freshness and crispness, with beautifully integrated tannins to the wine.  We can assure you, once you discover Château Lilian Ladouys, you will wonder how can it be selling at its current modest price, and for how much longer?

Château Lynch Bages 2015, Pauillac, rated 96 (Antonio Galloni) - Is there a wine more ubiquitous than Château Lynch Bages? This classic Pauillac property is quite possibly one of the best-known names in Bordeaux thanks to the tireless exploits of Jean-Michel Cazes, arguably one of the most active brand ambassadors of all time.  Besides the accolades, the knockout vintages of grand vin, Château Lynch Bages was the first wine ever sent to outer space.  The viticultural team at this estate has a mixture of French know-how coupled with a willingness to use the most technologically advanced techniques, like using satellite imagery to survey the vineyard and making sure the precious vines receive everything they need.  The quality of the wine is undeniable, and the versatility of Château Lynch Bages is something to be commended.  The wine can be enjoyed young, yet age beautifully like the finest of Pauillac.  With a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, the wine is classic and an incredible example of some of the finest Pauillac has to offer.   

Tasting Notes

Château Lilian Ladouys 2016 - "The 2016 Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 62% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot picked between 3-17 October and matured in 30% new oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow and graphite, plenty of fruit here with excellent delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with ebullient red berry fruit laced with white pepper and bay leaf, a touch of brown spice towards the generous finish. Very fine...this is a step up from the 2015." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (11/30/18, Issue 230), Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2021-2040

Château Lynch Bages 2015 - "One of the finest Pauillacs of 2015, Lynch-Bages is rich, racy and voluptuous. A rush of dark red and purplish stone fruit, mint, new leather, spice and blood orange give the 2015 a very decidedly exotic character that is impossible to miss. Raspberry jam, mocha, new leather and expressive floral notes appear with time in the glass, rounding things out nicely. Even though the 2015 is quite forward and open at this stage, the wine has plenty of stuffing as well as the underlying structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. This is a stellar showing for Lynch-Bages." - Antonia Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2018), Ratings: 96, Drink: 2025-2055