Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - August 2023

Henri de Villamont Meursault 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2014 - "There are observable but minor differences between the wines of the different Climats (named plots). In most cases, Meursault is greeny-gold in color or canary yellow, leaning towards bronze as it ages. Limpid and brilliant, it sometimes exhibits silvery highlights. Its bouquet has strong aromas of ripe grapes. The young wine is redolent of toasted almonds and hazelnuts in a floral (mayflower, elder, bracken, lime, verbana) and mineral (flint) setting. Butter, honey, and citrus fruits are also present. On the palate it is rich and fat with a cheerful and appealing taste of hazelnut. Unctuousness and freshness are in silky balance. Long and structured, it needs time to mature - this is a great white wine for laying down."  - Bourgogne Wine Board

Henri de Villamont Nuits Saint-Georges Les Damodes 2014 - "The appellation falls into two parts, divided by the town itself. The northern portion extends as far as the border of Vosne-Romanée, and the southern section lies partly in Nuits-Saint-Georges and partly in Premeaux. Corresponding differences are observed in the wines. Their colour is an intense crepuscular crimson with a hint of mauve. The nose often features rose and liquorice. The young red wine has aromas of cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant, and when matured, leather, truffle, fur, game. Notes of macerated fruits (prune) complete the picture. Muscular and vigorous, chewy and full-bodied, its structure is both well built and well-balanced and it is long in the mouth. It is most fully enjoyed after several years’ laying down which rounds it out and underlines its sensuality and breeding. The (rare) whites have a strong gold colour. They are firm and usually heady with a bouquet of brioche and sometimes honey, underpinned by white flowers." - Bourgogne Wine Board

Château Sociando-Mallet 2015 - "The Chateau Sociando-Mallet is a beautiful, complete wine that shows the classic style of this vintage beautifully. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, dried earth, and lead pencil shavings, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, and a great finish. It has plenty of tannins, yet they're polished and nicely integrated into the wine." - Jeb Dunnuck, Rating: 92

Virginie de Valandraud 2017 - "Black raspberries, forest floor, spring flowers, and a kiss of white chocolate all emerge from the medium to full-bodied 2017 Virginie De Valandraud, which has a lively, elegant texture, beautiful balance, and silky tannins. It's a classic, polished, fruit-forward Bordeaux that will offer loads of pleasure over the coming decade. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, brought up in new barrels. -Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, Rating: 93, Drink: 2020-2030