Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month - November 2024

For November's wine selection, we feature these wines:

• A superb Fifth Growth from Margaux appellation: Château Dauzac 2015
• A Grand Cru from Pessac-Léognan: Château Malartic-Lagravière 2015
• A unique gem from Haut-Médoc: Petit Verdot by Château Belle-Vue

• A legendary wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Domaine Vieux Télégraphe

Château Dauzac is a distinguished Fifth Growth from the prestigious Margaux appellation, known for producing wines that exhibit elegance, complexity, and finesse. Located on the Left Bank of the Garonne River, Château Dauzac benefits from an ideal terroir that is characteristic of the Margaux region and is surrounded by some of the most coveted vineyards in the world. With a history dating back to the 17th century, Château Dauzac is one of the oldest estates in the region and has long been recognized for producing wines of exceptional quality. Today, Château Dauzac is under the ownership of the Civrac family, who have invested heavily in modernizing the estate’s facilities while maintaining its commitment to quality. The 2015 Chateau Dauzac is a blend of  72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, showcasing the characteristics of the Margaux terroir. 

Château Malartic-Lagravière is a highly respected Grand Cru estate from the Pessac-Léognan sub-region of Bordeaux, famed for its exceptional red and white wines. The estate has a rich history, founded in the 18th century, and various notable families have owned it. Today, it is under the ownership of the Bonnie family, who have invested significantly in improving both the vineyards and the winery, focusing on quality and sustainability. The estate is known for its high-quality wines that express the rich, powerful characteristics of the Left Bank and the elegance and finesse typical of Bordeaux’s top properties. The estate’s vineyards cover 40 hectares, planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot for the reds, and Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites. 

Petit Verdot, by Belle-Vue is a hidden gem in the Haut-Médoc region due to its 100% Petit Verdot grapes composition. This single-varietal Petit Verdot wine is a rarity in Bordeaux, making this bottle a unique find for wine enthusiasts. Historically, Petit Verdot played a small but significant role in Bordeaux blends, particularly in the Medoc and Graves appellation. It has been traditionally used as a minor component in Bordeaux blends (usually between 1-5%), where it added color, tannin, and aromatic complexity. Unlike traditional Bordeaux blends, Château Belle-Vue allows the Petit Verdot grape to shine, showcasing its full potential. This exceptional Haut-Médoc wine stands out with its intense red color, aromatic depth, and rich flavors. Petit Verdot is the signature grape variety of the estate, with a heritage of the oldest vineyards planted over 80 years ago. The Petit-Verdot by Belle-Vue 2019 is produced in a limited edition with only 8000 bottles.

Domaine Vieux Télégraphe, a legendary producer in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is one of the most iconic estates in the Southern Rhône. With a legacy dating back to the 19th century, Domaine Vieux Télégraphe is widely regarded as one of the foundational estates of the region, and its wines are revered for their consistency and ability to age with grace. Their wines are typically rich and full-bodied, blending Grenache noir with Syrah and Mourvèdre. The 2018 vintage of Domaine Vieux Télégraphe is a stunning example of the estate’s ability to craft powerful and elegant wines. With its intense fruit character, herbal complexity, and signature earthy spice that defines the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this wine is a true reflection of the unique terroir and tradition of the region.

Château Dauzac 2015 - "The 2015 Dauzac has a wonderful nose that is just pure unadulterated Margaux, very pure and floral with ebullient black cherry and cassis aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine thread of acidity, very harmonious and with superb depth. This has really come on impressively in barrel and could be one of the hidden gems of the vintage. Do not underestimate this lil' gem." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, (03/02/2018), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2020-2038

Château Malartic-Lagravière 2015 - "The 2015 Malartic Lagravière is just as fabulous from bottle as it was from barrel. Rich, voluptuous and dramatic, it captures all of the natural intensity of the year. Black cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate, licorice and French oak build into a crescendo of stunning aromas, flavors and textures. This is in an especially dark, sumptuous style, but it all works beautifully. The 2015 was positively thrilling each of the three times I tasted it." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/27/2018), Ratings: 96

Petit Verdot, by Belle-Vue 2019 - ''I always love this little wine and it's such a unique expression of Bordeaux. Deep purple colored with a great nose of blue fruits, sappy herbs, tobacco, and candied orange, the 2019 Le Petit Verdot By Belle-Vue hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an expansive, shockingly supple texture, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful wine that I can't imagine will not evolve for at least a decade, and probably much longer.'' -  Jeb Dunnuck, (06/30/2020), Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2020-2032

Domaine Vieux Télégraphe 2018 - "The flagship of this great estate is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape and it could quite possibly be one of the longest lived wines in the 2018 vintage, which in general, is a charming, forward vintage geared for consumption in the first decade of life. Revealing a more ruby, almost translucent color as well as a great perfume of wild strawberries, blackberries, Asian spices, peppery garrigue, and flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a building, undeniable sense of minerality, plenty of mid-palate depth, and enough tannins to warrant 2-3 years or bottle age. It has the more upfront, expressive style of the vintage yet my money is on this evolving for 15-20 years." - Jeb Dunnuck (10/06/2020), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2020-2040