Château La Lagune 2012

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 great quality 2012, these are pretty serious tannins that are still very much on form, holding the cassis and bilberry fruit together, with clear black pepper and saffron notes filling out the mid palate. Packed with gourmet richness, a lovely wine. 50% new oak." Jane Anson, Decanter, Château La Lagune: Tasting Every Vintage from 2004 to 2017, Rating: 91 Drink: 2020-2040

"This property has been making excellent wines under the administration of Caroline Frey, and 2012 continues their recent success. With a deep ruby/purple color, notes of new saddle leather, graphite, blackcurrants and black cherries, a supple texture, medium to full body and beautiful purity, this is an outstanding 2012 to drink over the next 20 years. In general, the blend tends to be approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance 25% Merlot followed by 15% Petit Verdot." Robert M Parker Jr. The Wine Advocate, Issue 218 (04/29/2015) Rating: 90 Drink: 2015-2035