Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - January 2025

For January’s wine selection, we feature four Bordeaux wines:

• A refined expression of Saint-Estèphe: La Dame de Montrose 2018

• A classic of Margaux: Château Lascombes 2019

• The essence of Graves: Château Latour Martillac 2018

• A hidden gem from Saint-Émilion: Château Rochebelle 2020

La Dame de Montrose is the second wine of Château Montrose, one of the most esteemed estates in the Saint-Estèphe appellation and a prestigious Second Growth. The château’s history began in the 18th century, and its wines have long been recognized for their incredible structure. In 2006, the Bouygues family acquired the property and began an ambitious renovation of both the vineyard and the cellar, ensuring Montrose’s place among the top estates in Bordeaux. La Dame de Montrose, crafted from the younger vines and selected parcels that don’t make the grand vin, offers a more approachable yet still complex expression of this renowned terroir. The 2018 vintage is a gorgeous wine with a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, displaying intense flavors of black fruit, tobacco, spice, and a subtle minerality. La Dame de Montrose is a perfect introduction to the excellence of this legendary estate.

Château Lascombes has a rich history dating back to the 17th century and is classified as a Second Growth. Originally owned by the Lascombes family, the estate became known for producing wines that epitomize the elegance and power of the Margaux appellation. Between 1952 and 1971, this estate was owned by Alexis Lichine Group, an investment group led by the renowned Russian-American wine writer who also owned Château Prieure-Lichine. While working in the US Army Military Intelligence, Lichine famously organized wine dinners for US Allied Headquarters during WWII. This experience led him into wine-related writing and investment after the war. In 2022, Château Lascombes was acquired by Lawrence Wine Estates, a distinguished owner of a renowned portfolio of wineries, including Heitz Cellar and Burgess Cellars based in Napa Valley. The group aims to blend the histories of each estate and commit them to a sustainable future. The 2019 vintage is a perfect example of this style, with a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine displays alluring aromas of ripe black fruit, cassis, and floral notes, complemented by a touch of oak and spice. 

Château Latour-Martillac is one of the finest estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, located in the Graves region of Bordeaux. With origins in the 18th century, Latour-Martillac was classified as a Grand Cru Classé in the 1953 Graves Classification. The estate’s gravelly soils and proximity to the Garonne River create the perfect conditions for producing wines of great complexity and finesse. Since its acquisition by the Graves family, Latour-Martillac has become known for its balanced, elegant wines that showcase the unique character of the Graves terroir. The 2018 vintage is the union of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, which gives a magnificent expression of terroir. 

Château Rochebelle is a relatively young but rapidly rising star in the Saint-Émilion appellation. The estate’s history dates back to the 19th century, but it was only in the late 20th century that Rochebelle began to gain significant recognition. In 1995, the château was purchased by the Cazes family, who also owns the renowned Château Lynch Bages in Pauillac. The Cazes family brought their expertise to Rochebelle, modernizing the vineyard and winemaking techniques. Under their stewardship, the estate was classified as a Grand Cru Classé in 2012, a testament to its quality. The 2020 vintage of Rochebelle is a deep and expressive wine, predominantly made from Merlot, with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and hints of coffee. It’s a standout example of modern Saint-Émilion winemaking. Considered one of the hidden gems of the 2020 vintage, several critics gave this wine a rating of 94 or higher.

La Dame de Montrose 2018 - "Looking first at the second wine of this incredible Saint-Estèphe Château, the 2018 La Dame De Montrose is a blend of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 30% new French oak. Lots of blue fruits, sappy herbs, tobacco, violets, and graphite notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, concentrated, textured mouthfeel, and enough tannins to warrant 3-4 years of bottle. A beautiful second wine with lots of Saint-Estèphe character, it will have 15-20 years of longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck, Rating: 92+, Drink: 2024-2044

Château Lascombes 2019 - "The 2019 Lascombes is a huge wine packed with black cherry, chocolate, new leather, spice and licorice. Creamy, rich and expansive, Lascombes is endowed with notable power and sheer breadth. As always, Lascombes is a heady Margaux that pushes the edges, but I find all the elements very well-balanced." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/28/2022), Ratings: 94 

Château Latour-Martillac 2018 - "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Latour Martillac bursts from the glass with bold cassis, chocolate-covered cherries and plum preserves scents followed up by smoked meats, violets and aniseed hints plus a waft of Provence herbs. Full-bodied, firm and fine-grained in the mouth, the palate is laden with juicy fruit and savory layers, finishing long and fragrant." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, (03/31/2021), Ratings: 93-95, Drink: 2024-2044

Château Rochebelle 2020 - "Plenty of depth and character, this is elegant and concentrated, full of dark berry fruits, edges of grilled earth, wet stone minerality, gunsmoke, cold ash, mandarin rind and pomegranate. I'm a big fan of this tiny 3ha property on the limestone plateau, and it has performed strongly under the dry summer of 2020. Emilie Faniest winemaker, Thomas Duclos consultant. An upscore from En Primeur." - Jane Anson, (12/01/2022), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2025-2042