Château La Lagune 2012

The tannins show breadth and nobility; the finish is racy and long, with notes of black berries, harmonious and well-balanced. Shows great class.

This property has been making excellent wines under the administration of Caroline Frey, and 2012 continues their recent success. With a deep ruby/purple color, notes of new saddle leather, graphite, blackcurrants and black cherries, a supple texture, medium to full body and beautiful purity, this is an outstanding 2012 to drink over the next 20 years. In general, the blend tends to be approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance 25% Merlot followed by 15% Petit Verdot.

A great quality 2012, these are pretty serious tannins that are still very much on form, holding the cassis and bilberry fruit together, with clear black pepper and saffron notes filling out the mid palate. Packed with gourmet richness, a lovely wine. 50% new oak.

Intense nose of blackberries with hints of cedar and spices. Tar, too. This is a full-bodied red with chewy tannins, lovely acidity and a long, fruity finish. Drink from 2018.

The 2012 La Lagune offers dark chocolate mixed with espresso on the nose, the winemaking coming through quite strongly here. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth veneer, though it lacks some depth and feels a little monotone on the finish. This does not feel as if it is going anywhere interesting. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Produced using a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 18% Petit Verdot, the wine displays a fresh, black raspberry, spicy, olive tapenade character. There is freshness and a crisp, peppery, spicy profile with fresh red berries coupled with thyme and pepper in the tannic finish. Give it another 5–7 years to develop. This could be the highest concentration of Petit Verdot in the estate’s blend, at 18%.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac hues on the rim. Beautiful bouquet of red cherries, café au lait, fine spices, and dark bread crust. On the palate, one of the most harmonious Grands Crus in this segment, focused and very long. In recent times it has been rare for La Lagune to convince already at the en primeur tasting. This time it has unquestionably succeeded. There’s still another notch to gain as it reaches peak drinking maturity.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a violet shimmer on the rim. Beautiful bouquet of red cherries, café au lait, fine spices, and dark bread crust. On the palate, one of the most harmonious Grands Crus in this segment—focused and very long. It has been rare lately for a La Lagune to convince already at the en primeur tasting. This time it has unquestionably done so. There is still another notch to gain as it reaches peak drinking pleasure.

Herbal, light, slender bouquet, red berries, wood. Slim, angular palate with little fruit, finely sandy tannins, light aromatics, bitter finish. 16/20 2019 - 2032

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 La Lagune leaps with kirsch and cassis notes followed by hints of fallen leaves, pencil lead, and dried Provence herbs. Light to medium-bodied, with lively black fruits and a chewy texture, it finishes earthy if uncomplicated.

Disappointing evolution in bottle, a lovely spicy nose but the tannins show a bit of greenness; we clearly prefer 2013.

The blueberry nose is superb, and La Lagune’s palate is supple, very elegant, medium-bodied, all about finesse. It releases lovely fruit with spicy notes; overall it’s very charming, very La Lagune.

Dark, intense colour. Very aromatic nose, fruity and suave, with a touch of cedar. Juicy, full-bodied palate with good substance and a sleek profile, flavourful and long on the finish. No angular tannins.