wine of the month

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

Our selections for June 2021 are:

Anwilka 2007 - A mere 7 kilometers from the ocean in the prestigious region of Stellenbosch, this fabulous red blend is one of the most stunning expressions of South African red wine to date.  This star of a property was purchased in the late 1990s and an extensive replanting of the vineyards subsequently followed.  It was a team effort among three friends: Lowell Jooste – the former 4th generation owner of Klein Constantia before he relocated to southern California, Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus in Saint-Émilion, and Bruno Prats, the former owner of Château Cos d’Estournel.  The original vintage of Shiraz-Cabernet blend was released in 2005.  The blend beguiled the palates of critics like Robert Parker, who described it as, “the finest red wine I have ever had from South Africa.” Shortly after the glowing reviews of the press were released, the wine skyrocketed in terms of demand.  Anwilka continues to be one of the premier expressions

Our selections for April 2021 are:

Château Berliquet 2010 Saint-Émilion, Rated 90-93 (Robert Parker Jr) - This is one of the oldest properties in the Right Bank appellation of Saint-Émilion.  This 10-hectare vineyard is planted with an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  The philosophy of vignerons here is about capturing the tension of the limestone and the strength of clay terroir in every vintage.  Starting in 2007, the legendary Nicolas Thienpont of the famed Saint Émilion Premiere Grand Crus Classé Class ‘B’ estate, Château Pavie Macquin,  and well-known consultant Stephan Derenoncourt began advising this property.  Quality since then has skyrocketed as these gifted vignerons began implementing cutting edge technology such as optical sorting in 2009.  In 2017, Château Berliquet was acquired by the Chanel Group, the famous fashion label which also owns the Second Growth property in Margaux, Château Rauzan Ségla.  The 2010 vintage of Château Berliquet provides the

Our selections for February 2021 are:

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Thalabert 2018, Crozes-Hermitage, rated 93-95 by Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate.  Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert is from the northern Rhone Valley.  This is a terroir known for producing good syrah, the only red grape permitted under the Crozes-Hermitage appellation's official rules.  The origin of Syrah has been confirmed to be indigenous to the Rhone Valley.  Crozes-Hermitage counts Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage as its neighbors.  While not as coveted as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, one does not have to pay the nosebleed price of Côte-Rôtie either.

Château Kirwan 2016, Margaux, rated 89-91 (Neal Martin).  Château Kirwanwas one of the châteaus actually visited by America's first wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson.  He wrote about Kirwan in his wine journal, and rated it a Second Growth (Jefferson's personal ratings system preceded the official 1855 Classification).  At the