Peter Isacksen

8.9

For sure not a French Rosè but very smooth and better cold! — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose; floral fruits of blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blue fruits, black raspberries, limestone, dark raspberries, black cherry cola, dark rich soil, vanilla, cinnamon, volcanic minerals, anise, violets and fresh red floral bouquet. The body is full and the tannins are about half resolved. The structure is still fairly big as is the tension with good length. The fruits are rich & ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blue fruits, black raspberries, limestone, dark raspberries, black cherry cola, dark rich soil, vanilla, cinnamon, touch of clove, darker spice, a little bit of Christmas cake, suede leather, crushed dry rocks, volcanic minerals, anise, violets, lilacs, and fresh red floral bouquet. The acidity is round, good but could be better. The long finish is rich, fruit driven with just the right mix of fruit, earth and medium spice. Producer notes and history...Chateau La Lagune has a long history that dates all the way back to the 16th century, under King Henri IV. The same time the Dutch engineers started draining the water from the marshes and swamps making way for all those Pauillac Chateau’s. Their beautiful chateau was built in 1715. The chateau was designed by architect, Baron Victor Louis, who earned fame for his design of the Grand Theater in Bordeaux. By 1730, Chateau La Lagune was already known for producing Bordeaux wine. The property remained under the ownership of the well known de Seze family for several generations. Moving ahead a few centuries to the modern era of the 1950’s, Chateau La Lagune experienced problems caused by the end of World War II along with the economic crisis. As well, there was the great frost of 1956; which destroyed a large portion of the vineyards in Bordeaux. In 1958, George Brunette purchased Chateau La Lagune with only 5 hectares still planted with vines. It was George Burnette that began a large replanting Chateau La Lagune. However, George Brunette also took an economic hit during that era and was forced to sell Chateau La Lagune to the Ducellier family of Champagne Ayala. In 2000, both Chateau La Lagune and Champagne Ayala were sold to the Frey family. The Frey family sold Champagne Ayala and bought the legendary estate of Jaboulet in the Rhone, which of course includes the crown jewel of the region, Jaboulet La Chapelle. The Frey family also owns a substantial piece of Billecart-Salmon. In 2014, the Frey family bought Chateau de Corton Andre and its 7 hectares of vines in the Cote de Beaune area of Burgundy. Caroline Frey (shown in the right photo) is the manager and Winemaker of Chateau La Lagune, as well as their estate in Hermitage, Jaboulet. In November, 2013, La Lagune purchased the 8.9 hectare estate of Chateau D’Arche, from Mahler Besse. Chateau D’Arche is located in the commune of Ludon, not far from La Lagune. This purchase made more than economic sense for the property, as the vines were once part of La Lagune when the original 1855 Classification took place. La Lagune has 72 hectares (180 acres) under vine. Their grape variety is a distribution of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot. Chateau La Lagune is fermented in a total of 72 different, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats that vary in size from 22 hectoliters to 200 hectoliters to allow for parcel by parcel vinification. The vats are laid out in a functional and architecturally interesting pattern (Shown in the bottom photo). Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is blended before the aging process begins. This is similar to what takes place at Chateau Haut Brion. La Lagune is aged in between 50% and 60% new French oak barrels for 18 months. — 7 years ago

Luiz Cola

Wine Editor Vinhos e Mais Vinhos Blog

9.2

Ayala Zero Dosage, aeca e cortante como todos os Champagnes Nature devem ser... — 9 years ago

Jin Kang

9.0

1983 vintage - not too shabby — 10 years ago

Chris England

9.2

🎄 Advent Halfy Calendar Day 17 🎄

🎅 Santa says “Rudolf’s got his eyes & big red nose on this one 😁”

📝 I say for a retail price of £14 for 75cl this is a cracking quaffer of a Chablis - a real winner for spring & summer 👍

⏩ 🍾 Mrs E got Ayala Brut Majour NV

📍 Domaine du Colombier Petit Chablis 2015

🏵 92 points

🍇 Chardonnay

🍷 Light straw yellow

👃 Fresh & crisp cut green apple, pear, vanilla & soft citrus w/ a touch of chalky mineral, hints of tropical fruits, nuts & apricot w/ no oak evident

👄 Med body of creamy fresh punchy green apple & citrus w/ conference pear, vanilla & a hint of apricot

🎯 Med+ fresh zingy & creamy slight sweet pear driven green fruits w/ a touch of vanilla citrus & chalky mineral
— 5 years ago

Rob McCaughey

9.3

One of my favorite champagnes — 7 years ago

Michael Townley

9.1

Needs some time to open to reduce the high alcohol level. Rustic flavors. — 8 years ago

Thomas Weber

8.9

Solid sparkler. Tasted closer to extra brut — 8 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.0

v2001. A bit of Brett, initially, but that dissipated about 30 min after opening, which allowed aromas of lavender, leather and black fruit to shine. Black cherry, roasted meat, and juicy acidity on the palate, and a great finish. I really can't relate to the low ratings some have given this wine. A good, moderately aged Rioja at $35? Yes, yes it is. — 9 years ago

Justin Hurst

9.6

At Aragona. — 10 years ago

Joachim Haug

9.0

Med hval og ingefærskum = veldig bra — 6 years ago

with Dr.

Michael Tao

9.1

Excellent! Medium body, nice fruit. Glad we took this recommendation at Zarzuela! — 7 years ago

Joshua Chan

9.3

Excellent bubbles. Extremely fine bubbles. High acidity. Baked biscuits. So drinkable. — 8 years ago

Christopher Lodge

9.4

One of a kind. Not likely to see very much of this jewel in the future. — 8 years ago

Jason Heller

Master Sommelier

8.9

Last bottle. A little more dill/oak character and not as much fruit as the last two bottles. — 9 years ago

Juan Luis García Ruiz

10

Quien dice que la #manzanilla no evoluciona? Saca Febrero 2013 ... Simplemente equilibrio en un vinazo de Sanchez Ayala #sumiller #winelovers — 9 years ago