2023 La Lagune

The 2023 La Lagune, incidentally a wine that for some unfathomable reason I did not taste from barrel, contains no Petit Verdot this year as Caroline Frey, who has since stood down from running the estate, found it did not contain the finesse she was looking for. It has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light iodine scents that unfold nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins. Gentle grip, quite linear and certainly saline, it has a briny finish that just needs a touch more persistence as it feels a bit hard on the landing. Time will soften that up. Pleasant black pepper notes mixed with bay leaf linger on the aftertaste. Fine, but give this three years in bottle.

This hidden gem of a Haut-Médoc is always worth checking out. The 2023 Château La Lagune reveals a ruby/purple hue as well as classic notes of red and black currants, leafy tobacco, cedary spice, and smoke. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has ample mid-palate depth, and ripe, integrated tannins. It plays in the fresh, lively style of the vintage yet brings beautiful fruit and depth.

Indian spice, flowers, smoke, red pit fruits, and a drop of espresso fill the complex nose. The medium-bodied, palate is elegant, refined, and silky, with lift, and sweetness to the red berries with a touch of chocolate in the end note that fills things out.