Wine of the Month - January 2019

Introducing Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month selection: 4 bottles of Bordeaux wines for a set price of $200.  Each month, we feature a different selection of wines.  This is a perfect way for the curious wine lovers to discover the world famous classified growths of Bordeaux.

For the month of January 2019, we bring you a selection of stars from the Right Bank village of Saint-Emilion:

1 x Château Durfort-Vivens 2014, Margaux
1 x Château Langoa Barton 2014, Saint-Julien
1 x Château Villemaurine 2014, Saint-Emilion
1 x Virginie de Valandraud 2014, Saint-Emilion

Tasting Notes

Château Durfort-Vivens 2014 - "The Château Durfort-Vivens 2014...it occasionally seems a little "green" on the nose...but not this year: it is still classical and in some eyes, maybe lean, but there is ample freshness and clarity with lively blackberry and blueberry fruit, touches of cedar emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin, atypical/ly plush in style with a very harmonious, sensual finish. I would never guess the identity of the château based on this barrel sample, but it undeniably well crafted with good potential after bottling." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/29/2015, Issue 218), Ratings: 87-89, Drink: 2018-2032

Château Langoa Barton 2014 - "The 2014 Langoa Barton was impressive in barrel and this bottle-showing completely vindicated that initial enthusiasm. It has an impressive bouquet with redcurrant, blackberry and cedar aromas, with a hint of violet as it opens in the glass. This is lovely. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit on the entry. It comes across as a playful, joyous, exuberant Langoa Barton that is almost sensual on the long finish. What a great 2014 Saint Julien from team Barton! Form an orderly queue and load up on this gem." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (3/31/2017, Interim Issue), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2019-2035

Château Villemaurine 2014 - "The 2014 Villemaurine did not really impress in barrel, although I was certainly more taken with this Saint Emilion now that it is in bottle. Here, it has a tightly wound bouquet with irony black fruit, mineral scents turning more floral with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky, almost Pinot Noir-like entry in terms of texture. Pretty red cherries mixed with kirsch and sorbet orange, finishing with a precise, understated finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. It is the detail that has improved so much in this wine, hence the upswing in more score. Tasted twice with consistent notes." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (3/31/2017, Interim Issue), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2019-2035

Virginie de Valandraud 2014 - "The Virginie de Valandraud 2014 has a very pure bouquet, precise and elegant as usual, with precocious dark cherry and crème de cassis scents merged with violet petals. The oak here is nicely in sync. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, chalky tannin over-layered with surprisingly minerally dark berry fruit that dovetails into a long spicy finish. There’s a lot going on in this deuxième vin and it should be fascinating to re-visit later on during its evolution. It surpasses many a self-aggrandising "big gun" in Saint Emilion." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/29/2015, Issue 218), Ratings: 90-92, Drink: 2018-2030