Château La Lagune 2004

A sleeper of the vintage, this sexy, charming, Burgundian-styled wine offers fleshy black cherry notes intermixed with camphor, flowers, and pain grillé. Supple tannin, velvety texture, and luscious aromatics as well as flavors result in an alluring claret to drink over the next 12–14 years.

Licorice and blackberry aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a clean finish. Lacks some concentration. Best after 2008. 12,500 cases made.

Pretty classic old-school Médoc flavours here; soft undergrowth, earth and cured leather alongside soft brambly fruits with a lovely juicy finish. In a quiet way it shows you exactly why these estates give so much pleasure for so many decades—this is eminently drinkable, sappily delicious and is likely to stay at this plateau for another decade or more. A yield of 48hl/ha. 50% new oak.

This has a beautiful line of tannins and fruit with a backbone of fresh acidity. It’s full-bodied, bright and racy. Gorgeous finish and harmony. Fine and beautiful. Drink or hold.

The 2004 La Lagune has a well-defined bouquet, something that I think was missing throughout the wines up until this date. Blackberry, briary, touches of rose petal and then later, hints of Lapsang Souchong and sous-bois all contribute to a very satisfying array of aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit, tobacco and black pepper. It is conservative and remains in the classic Bordeaux oeuvre; however, I discern a little more clarity sewn into this wine. Tasted at the La Lagune vertical at the château.

The first vintage for the Frey family after purchasing the famed estate is made from a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. The wine shows some lightening of color at the rim. Notes of spice, olives, cherry, earth and smoke on the nose are apparent as soon as the bottle is opened and poured. The medium-bodied, classic, slightly strict vintage for La Lagune is ready to drink, leaving you with a spicy, fresh, crisp, firm red-berry and green-olive finish.

Medium purple-ruby. Open, delicate bouquet with cherry nuances, red cassis, violet, coffee, and subtle chocolate notes. On the palate, fine texture, great elegance, wonderfully balanced and noble through to the finish. Once again, a successful La Lagune.

Medium purple-ruby. Open, delicate bouquet with cherry tones, red cassis, violet, coffee, and subtle chocolate notes. On the palate, fine texture, plenty of elegance, beautifully balanced and noble through to the finish. Not a great wine in terms of potential, but after a long time, finally a truly successful La Lagune again. Things are finally looking up.

Restrained, austere bouquet with wood and mocha. Medium-bodied, firm palate with little aromatics. Long finish. 16/20 2010 - 2020

Deeply colored, a hint of leather on the nose—which seems to be a hallmark of the vintage—good flesh, a straight, classic-tannined wine, with a touch of menthol on the finish; excellent style.

Beautiful deep, dark red color. Lovely fruity and fairly ripe nose. Animal note. Rather plush and, above all, bursting with fruit on the attack, this wine unfolds round, fairly rich and juicy mid-palate. Very flavorful thereafter, it finishes on fine tannins with fruity, floral, licorice and subtly oaky notes. It’s very good. A confirmed success and a renewal.

The freshness of 2004 is the hallmark of this deliciously ripe but elegant wine. It is packed with juicy red berry fruits, giving richness but vibrant acidity.