Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - December 2023

Cheval des Andes 2016 - "The new vintage to be released in September 2019 is the 2016 Cheval des Andes, which was cropped from a completely unusual year—cooler than the average and with an exceptional amount of rain (around 600 liters), yet the wine has achieved exceptional freshness. It's 13.9% alcohol, and there's more red fruit on the nose, which is subtle and elegant, a little closed at first, shy and subtle. They have done great adjustments in the élevage, with the wine matured in 30% to 40% 400-liter barrels and only some 40% new wood. It's 58% Malbec (approximately 50/50 from Luján and Valle de Uco, where they have 15 hectares in Altamira), 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This has less structure than the 2015, but there's more tension; this is a wine that should develop beautifully in bottle. This is a vintage of precision and with great aging potential. I think this wine is the most elegant produced so far. Bravo! 64,000 bottles produced." - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (8/30/2019, Issue 244), Ratings: 97+, Drink: 2020-2036

Clos Romanile 2016 -  "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Clos Romanile offers warm redcurrants, blackberry compote and stewed plums with hints of dried herbs, damp soil and underbrush. Medium-bodied, it has a nice core of vibrant black fruit with soft, rounded tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with an herbal lift." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (11/30/2018, Interim Issue), Rating: 90, Drink from: 2019-2030 

"Valandraud’s winemaker’s wine. Only 2,000 bottles. Merlot with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, ripe and modern. Suave attack but fresh and firmly structured. Needs time to open." - Decanter Magazine

Château Langoa Barton 2016 - "The 2016 Langoa Barton is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and opens with cedar, red and black currants, kirsch and menthol with smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with youthful, energetic fruit, finishing long and perfumed." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2/21/2018, Interim Issue), Ratings: 90, Drink: 2019-2033

Château Le Bon Pasteur 2019 - "The 2019 Le Bon Pasteur is different in style to previous vintages, and I mean that in a positive sense. This is very elegant and classic in style, pure dark cherry and blueberry fruit entwined with a touch of truffle. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip, slightly chalky in texture with well judged acidity, harmonious with a creamier finish, a hint of salted licorice lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted three times with consistent notes." - Neal Martin, vinous.com, (June, 2020), Ratings: (94-96), Drink: 2024-2045

"The 2019 Bon Pasteur sports a deep garnet-purple color, charging out of the glass with bold blackberry pie, blueberry preserves and prunes notes followed by hints of cedar chest, Ceylon tea, Indian spices and licorice with a waft of violets. Full-bodied, the palate packs a wallop of black fruits, framed by rock-solid, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with great length and depth." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, (6/17/2020, Bordeaux 2019 Issue), Ratings: (92-94)+