Château La Lagune 2011

This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot has some elevated tannin, but also an impressively saturated dark ruby/plum color, notes of vanillin, black currants and forest floor, and a medium-bodied, well-endowed personality. Cellar it for several more years and enjoy it over the following 10–15 years. It will not make anyone forget La Lagune’s 2009 or 2010, but it is a solid effort for the vintage.

Clear dark pepper spice, the Petit Verdot is playing an oversized role. If you just sit with it for a moment and allow the spice to billow over your palate you then get a kick back of mint, concentrated liquorice and a wash of just-juicy-enough black fruit. Good hold and grip, impressive overall and one that is just about ready to drink now. The austerity keeps things overall subdued, but has charm and character. A yield of 35l/ha. 50% new oak.

A balanced and fruity 2011 with mineral, light floral and berry character. Medium to full body, racy tannins and a fresh finish. Vibrant for the vintage. Try in 2017.

Leathery, with a twist of sweet vanilla. Loads of cassis and toasted coffee. Pretty modern. Crystal clear. (RH)

The 2011 La Lagune offers rather meaty red fruit on the nose, with touches of cigar box and cooked meat. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, tobacco and black pepper, though it feels rather attenuated toward the finish. It was showing far better four to five years ago at the château, so I leave a question mark against my score. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

The wine was made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot. It is already showing well with its medium body and light, red-fruited, herbal and spicy character. But the finish is short. Drink it on the young side.

Dark ruby red, a purple shimmer, a subtle brightening on the rim. Restrained, somewhat leafy, a hint of red cherries and plums, some vanilla and cinnamon. Red berry notes, lean, racy, a mineral-lemon finish, uncomplicated and enjoyable.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet glints at the rim. Muted bouquet, soy sauce, demi-glace, abandoned dark plums; behind, blackberries are trying desperately to climb into the nose. On the palate malty, with a full texture and good balance; much more convincing than on the first nose, the finish showing extracted, firm tannins. Clearly, the aim was higher than what the vintage allowed. Pure potential rating, but not a fun score:

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac hues on the rim. Muted bouquet, soy sauce, demi-glace, neglected dark plums; behind that, blackberries are desperately trying to climb into the aromatic picture. On the palate, malty, with a full texture and good balance; far more convincing than on the first nose, showing extracted, gritty tannins on the finish. Clearly aiming for more than the vintage allowed. Pure potential rating, but not a fun score:

Sweet, red-berried, floral bouquet, red cassis, raspberries, mint, fresh wood. Silky, light, rather slender palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, delicate aromatics, dry finish. 16/20 2017 - 2030

A supple, suave wine with lovely substance and notes of clove, and a long finish. A fine success for the vintage with this very elegant wine.

Beautiful aromatic finesse with a filigree, complex edge. Notes of raspberry as well as cherry, and a touch that slightly evokes Burgundy. Such freshness. On the palate, the wine opens pleasantly but lacks a bit of expression and density. The tannins still struggle to match the structure, but the fruit peeks through on the finish, which is promising overall. A wine that still needs time to reveal itself, yet already has convincing arguments.

Beautiful dark red. A moderately aromatic, fine, fruity, and precise nose. A gentle entry on the palate. The wine develops on a supple body and a refined structure. Sleek and flavorful, it finishes with normal length, with fruity, ever-tasty tannins.