Wine of the Month - February 2021

Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month Selection for February 2021

• Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Thalabert 2018, Crozes-Hermitage, rated 93-95 by Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate.  Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert is from the northern Rhone Valley.  This is a terroir known for producing good syrah, the only red grape permitted under the Crozes-Hermitage appellation's official rules.  Crozes-Hermitage counts Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage as its neighbors.  While not as coveted as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, one does not have to pay the nosebleed price of Côte-Rôtie either.
• Château Kirwan 2016, Margaux, rated 89-91 (Neal Martin).  Château Kirwan was one of the châteaus actually visited by America's first wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson.  He wrote about Kirwan in his wine journal, and rated it a Second Growth (Jefferson's personal ratings system preceded the official 1855 Classification).  At the time, Jefferson thought is was "second in quality behind Margaux, La Tour, Haut-Brion, and La Fite."
• Réserve de la Comtesse 2011, Pauillac, rated 86-88 (Robert Parker Jr).  This second wine of Château Pichon Lalande in Pauillac, initially rated critically by Robert Parker Jr, has aged gracefully since its bottling in 2012.  Had Robert Parker not retired, he may have to re-rate this wine.
• Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie 2018, Saint-Emilion, rated (93-95)+ (Lisa Perrotti-Brown).  Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie is located on the limestone slope between Château La Gaffelière and Château Pavie, two of Saint-Émilion's famous producers. It also counts Château Ausone as its next-door neighbor.  For wine lovers who appreciate the importance of terroir (soil, climate, people), this is a great wine to test the skills of the owners of this property with impeccable location.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2018 - "Although the fruit sourcing has changed from the old days, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a solid offering in the Jaboulet lineup. Violets accent blackberries and plums on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, lush and velvety, underscored by doses of salinity and licorice on the lengthy finish." - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (12/19/2019), Ratings: 93-95, Drink: 2020-2030

Château Kirwan 2016 - "The 2016 Kirwan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot picked up 49 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September until 18 October. The nose needed some encouragement from the glass, perhaps not quite as cohesive as I was expecting, angular black fruit with a dash of white pepper. It just felt rather broody and unsettled at this early stage. On the palate, I discerned some hardness on the tannin, rendering this a more masculine Kirwan that will hopefully flesh out once in bottle. With a new winery, I am anticipating great things from Kirwan. This might be a wine that will blossom later than others, so I will keep a watchful eye." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (4/28/2017, Issue 230), Ratings: 89-91, Drink: 2023-2040

Réserve de la Comtesse 2011 - "The 2011 Reserve de la Comtesse is higher in alcohol, tipping the scales at 13.2%, which is attributable to the higher Merlot component (49%) blended with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by attractive, straightforward notes of mocha, roasted herbs, white chocolate and berry fruit. " - Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate (4/25/2012, Issue 200), Ratings: 86-88, Drink: 2014-2024

Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie 2018 - "This comes from the limestone slope between La Gaffelière and Pavie. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Côte Pavie comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of warm raspberries, black cherries and ripe blackberries plus hints of red roses, menthol, dark chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling fresh, crunchy fruit with beautifully ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Impressive!" - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/23/2019, Bordeaux 2018 Issue), Ratings: (93-95)+