Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - August 2024

For August's wine selection, we feature four vineyards from Bordeaux to Tuscany:

• A top-vintage Saint-Julien from Château Branaire-Ducru
• A top-rated Brunello di Montalcino made by famous winemaker Carlo Ferrini 
• A rising star from Pessac-Leognan 
• A white wine produced by Château Valandraud

Château Branaire-Ducru is a distinguished 4th Growth Grand Cru Glassé estate in Saint-Julien. Covering 50 hectares of vineyard on the Left Bank, this estate enjoys a prime location on deep gravel soils, providing the perfect conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The property is located near the village of Saint-Julien Beychevelle between Margaux and the Pauillac appellation. Château Branaire-Ducru’s history dates back to 1680 and still bears witness to a rich heritage of know-how and the tradition of Bordeaux wine production today.

Giodo is the personal estate of renowned Italian winemaker Carlo Ferrini. His daughter is part of the team managing the estate. Over the past 30 years, Carlo has established himself as one of Italy’s premier winemakers working throughout Tuscany before purchasing the first land in Montalcino. Located in the heart of Montalcino, Giodo is dedicated to producing exceptional Brunello di Montalcino wines. The estate spans over 6 hectares of vineyards dedicated to cultivating Sangiovese grapes. Since its establishment in the early 2000s, Giodo has focused on crafting some of the region’s most distinguished wines and has quickly risen to prominence, gaining international recognition. 

Château Lespault-Martillac is a Grand Cru Classé estate in Pessac-Leognan, located in the southern part of Bordeaux’s Graves region. Château Lespault-Martillac has a long history, dating back to the 18th century. It is one of Martillac's oldest wines, already planted with vines in Roman times. Since the 2009 vintage, the family of Jean-Claude Bolleau, owner of the chateau, has entrusted the running of the vineyard to Olivier Bernard (owner of Domaine de Chevalier), a Graves Grand Cru Classé. The domain produces both red and white wines. The vineyard extends over 9 hectares, producing different grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Château Lespault-Martillac produces exceptional red and white wines known for their strong character. For several years now, Olivier Bernard and his team have opted for a sustainable approach, using sustainable production methods and precise winemaking techniques to produce wines of the highest quality.

Virginie de Valandraud is the second wine of the Château Valandraud, named after the owner’s daughter. The story began in 1989 when Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle Andraud bought a small plot of 0.6 hectares in the Saint-Emilion valley, on the Right Bank between Château Pavie Macquin and Château La Clotte. The name of Château Valandraud is a blend between the location of the estate “Valley of Fongabau” and the surname of Murielle “Andraud.” The vineyard covers 5 hectares and produces red and white wines from the following grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Château de Valandraud has helped to lead the “garagiste movement,” which means small-scale, high-quality wine production focused on precision. 

Château Branaire-Ducru 2016 : "The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a real classic, and in the fullness of time, it will likely rival or even surpass the more charming, demonstrative 2019. Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of dark berries, cassis, loamy soil, pencil shavings and cigar smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a taut, structured profile and a long, penetrating finish. The only missing ingredient here is time." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (08/11/2022), Ratings: 94+, Drink: 2026-2060

Giodo 2017: "Carlo Ferrini's Giodo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is plush and softly layered, and the wine has plenty of fiber and cherry to absorb the power that comes naturally to this vintage. This is Carlo's seventh leaf (or vintage) of Brunello from his family-run estate, and it's nice to reflect on the consistency of style and quality achieved since this new venture emerged. Giodo has the advantage of coming onto the scene when international regard and understanding for Brunello was highest (think back to the excellent 2010 vintage). Carlo has not disappointed. He brings us a modern, forward-thinking wine that is rooted in local Tuscan winemaking tradition (just think, one of his first stints was at Soldera Case Basse years ago). This vintage brings home that signature Giodo personality with black cherry, dark fruit and elegant earthy end notes. At about 18-years-old now, his vines are entering an interesting chapter of their lifespan, and we can expect more great results from this estate. Production for this wine is 12,000 bottles." - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, (02/17/2022), Ratings: 95, Drink: 2024-2040

Château Lespault Martillac 2020: "The finest vintage I've tasted from this estate, the 2020 Château Lespault-Martillac is full-bodied, round, and sexy, with a terrific mouthfeel as well as classic darker currant fruit, notes of chocolate and tobacco, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's a little gem of a Pessac-Léognan to drink over the coming two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck, (03/29/2023), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2023-2043

Virginie de Valandraud Blanc 2021: "A delicious wine with supple and mouthwatering juice on the finish, supple mango, slate and white peach met step by step by clear salinty and fresh juicy citrus. Great quality, strikes a welcoming gourmet note in the vintage. September 7-20, 80% new oak, 20% jars." - Jane Anson, (07/12/2023), Ratings: 96