Bordeaux's Big Suprise
2008 Château La Lagune
Value in Fine Bordeaux Still Exists
"One of the most beautiful wines of the vintage." -Robert Parker
"Great, affordable Bordeaux" - it's a request we get almost daily. Yet, in the last few years we've had only a handful of Bordeaux emails... this is not an easy request to fulfill.
So pay attention because today we present "one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage" at a shockingly reasonable tariff.
There's no denying that Bordeaux prices have made many of the region's top wines simply inaccessible. This is especially true if value is something that guides your purchases.
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| Caroline Frey |
Happily, we are not yet at the point of no return - the 2008 La Lagune at $56.95 confounds any preconceived notions about quality and price and Bordeaux.
The 2008 vintage in Bordeaux has been overlooked and misunderstood by many, but is in many ways an exceptional vintage. The combination of reduced yields, very long hang times and cool temperatures produced finely calibrated wines with fresh acidity and dense polished structures.
Bordeaux for the lover of Burgundy? Something like that.
The 2008 La Lagune shows quivering aromatics of spice, plum and violet - yet the palate has the density and compactness one expects and wants from Bordeaux, fleshy notes of rich blackberry syrup and dark cherry present in a dense but lifted way, with a vein of acidity pumping energy into the heart of the wine.
Since 2004 La Lagune has enlisted Caroline Frey, who comes to wine from a career as an award-winning Equestrian rider. Beyond being part of a growing number of female winemakers in Bordeaux, Frey has applied a keen intellect and sensitivity to her work. This includes dialing back the use of new oak to allow for more elegance and more clarity of expression.
For many, Frey has guided the Château to producing some of the best wines in the past few decades. Her 2008 is an impressive illustration of this. It's drinking well today, particularly after an hour in the decanter, but will benefit from another five years plus in the cellar.
In fact, the best 2008s promise long aging curves. John Gilman of View from the Cellar has written, "this is a vintage that I would look very seriously at for stocking the cellar for high quality future drinking down the road." We agree.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Robert Parker: "One of the most beautiful wines of the vintage, the dark ruby/purple-colored La Lagune exhibits sweet cassis, camphor, truffle and white chocolate notes presented in a dense, medium to full-bodied, silky textured personality. Filled with purity, finesse, elegance and authoritative flavor intensity, this 2008 is already drinkable and should continue to evolve for 15+ years."