Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - April 2023

Château d'Aiguilhe is a winery located in the Côtes de Castillon wine appellation on the right bank of the Bordeaux region in France. The property dates back to the 13th century and has been owned by a number of different families over the years. It is situated on a rocky outcrop and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The vineyards surrounding the castle are planted with predominantly Merlot grapes, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1998, the estate was purchased by Comte Stephan von Neipperg, a well-known winemaker in the Bordeaux region who also owns other renowned estates such as Château Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte. Under his ownership, the vineyards were completely replanted and modernized, and the winemaking facilities were upgraded to the latest technology.

Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a second wine produced by Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a renowned winery located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France. The estate has a long history dating back to the 14th century and is currently owned by the Cathiard family. Le Petit Haut Lafitte is made from younger vines and selected parcels from the same vineyards as the Grand Vin, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, with around 40% new oak.

Château Saint-Pierre is a winery located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. The estate has a long history, dating back to the 17th century, and has been owned by a number of different families over the years. Chateau Saint-Pierre is known for producing full-bodied and complex wines with rich aromas of black fruits, cedar, and tobacco. On the palate, the wine is powerful and concentrated, with a firm tannic structure and flavors of black currant, blackberry, and spice. The finish is long and persistent, with a good balance between fruit and tannins.

Parusso Bussia is a premium red wine produced by the Parusso winery located in the Piedmont region of Italy. The winery was founded in 1901 by Gaspare Parusso and is now run by his grandson Marco Parusso. The Bussia vineyard is located in the Barolo DOCG appellation, which is known for producing some of Italy's finest red wines. The vineyard covers around 20 hectares and is planted with Nebbiolo grapes, which are the primary grape variety used to produce Barolo wines. The Bussia vineyard is considered one of the best in the region due to its excellent soil and exposure to sunlight.

Parusso Bussia is made using traditional winemaking methods, with the grapes being fermented in stainless steel tanks before being aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. The wine is then bottled and aged for a further 6 months before being released. The wine is known for its intense aromas of dark fruit, with notes of leather, tobacco, and spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and complex, with flavors of black cherry, plum, and licorice. The tannins are firm and well-structured, providing a long and lingering finish.

Château d'Aiguilhe 2019 - "I always love this wine. The 2019 Château D'Aiguilhe has a terrific sense of minerality and elegance yet still brings plenty of fruit. Coming from the cooler Castillon region east of Saint-Emilion, it offers a perfumed bouquet of framboise, white flowers, crushed rock, and spice. Elegant and medium-bodied, with nicely integrated acidity and a great finish, it's going to drink brilliantly for 10-15 years." - Jeb Dunnuck (6/30/2020), Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2020-2035

Le Petit Haut Lafitte 2016 - "The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mulberry, cranberry, pressed flowers, and a touch of undergrowth; it is neatly defined though not powerful, but it does demonstrate commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic (more so than the Les Hauts de Smith) with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite-infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (4/28/2017), Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2021-2038

Château Saint-Pierre 2017 - "Just as it was from barrel, the 2017 Saint-Pierre is arrestingly beautiful. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice, new leather, licorice and smoke infuse the 2017 with tons of character. Readers will find a bold, unctuous Saint-Julien bursting at the seams with personality. As always, Saint-Pierre is a dark, brooding Saint-Julien that shows the more virile side of the appellation off to great effect." - Antonio Galloni, vinous (3/2020), Ratings: 95, Drink: 2024-2037

Parusso Barolo Bussia 2018 - "The 2018 Barolo Bussia is slightly subdued (almost) compared to the other new releases from this estate, although you'd need to take that comment in context since all of Parusso's wine bat above their weight. With 15% alcohol, this vintage shows dark fruit, spicy plum, cherry skin and potting soil. The Bussia is always a hallmark of Mark Parusso's unique winemaking approach. Fruit comes from the Rocche and Munie vineyards in the Bussia MGA of Monforte d'Alba. 8,000 bottles were made." - Monic Larner, The Wine Advocate (6/23/2022) Ratings: 94, Drink: 2025-2043