Mike Daniel

9.0

Delightful bouquet full of candies berry landing on the palate with lots of layered flavor - fig, blackberry, licorice - and just a little glycerol, but a nice lingering and headed length. Might last longer still if I didn’t need another swirl and sip before it passed ;). Good value under $24 — 8 years ago

Rick Jordan

9.0

VINTAGE: 2004
BOTTLE: 375ml
APPEARANCE: Deep red, garnet meniscus, viscous legs.
NOSE: Allspice, white pepper, bell pepper, dark fruits.
MOUTHFEEL: Round, medium - acidity, medium + tannins.
PALATE: Cinnamon, tomato leaf, leather, hints of vanilla.
FINISH: Long with sandalwood throughout and some cocoa at the very end.
NOTES: Picked this up in December of 2017, thinking the 375 bottle will have made this ready to drink immediately. Was not wrong, it is drinking well, but there is sufficient backbone left in this wine to age for many more years to come, even in a 375. Nice layers of complexity that were fun to tease out, but still many notes that I don’t yet have the ability to properly identify. I look forward to trying again with more years under its belt. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Mathieu has taken over winemaking and has done a fabulous job. This was all bright mid red fruits with some hues of blue and soft earthiness. Fresh & pure wire to to wire and a really nice pair with Hedy’s amazing spicy pumpkin soup. @ Plate & Bottle. Photos of, those old narly Gamay vines, Hedy’s spicy pumpkin soup, Mathieu barrel tasting and a little fireside bubbles & cheese before dinner. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.1

Nose is not the best I'll admit. Dominated by a green note that won't go away and only got stronger. Under that is a nice nuttiness and some good spice and cherry fruit, but the green vegetal quality is overwhelming. Palate is great though. Light and ephemeral, sappy and delicate. Very mouthwatering. — 10 years ago

Linda Hawk

8.9

Cherries immediately on the palate, followed by blackberries and other fruit layers. Very pleasant sipper. — 10 years ago

Eric Landaluce

10

Great bottle of wine with friends at the cabin. Thanks for the wine Cody & Willow — 10 years ago

Mandy Click

9.0

Loved it despite the 90+ degree temperatures and humidity at the tasting. Need to visit under more ideal circumstances one day. — 11 years ago

Clare Scheel

9.5

Great wine but still under 20. — 12 years ago

Marissa Myers

9.1

K&L everyday under. $12!!!! — 12 years ago

TheSkip

9.2

A return Down Under. This was one of the first “expensive” (I.e, more than $15) bottles I had ever purchased. Though the price here in the US is around $17, I am inclined to propose this as a medal finisher for QPR awards!

Where some Australian Shiraz are just overly jammy, this has a lovely streak of acidity that cuts through. Tannins are entirely soft.

While not overly complex, a total winner. — 8 years ago

Somm 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. — 9 years ago

John Zuzek

9.2

Good juice! Dark and brooding with dark berries, anise, and some tobacco notes. Monastrell/Cab Sauv blend. For under $40!?? A steal! — 10 years ago

Ken Frank

9.4

Incredibly robust for 20 years old. Rich, great length and balance. Just WOW. This wine is under the radar but has few peers — 10 years ago

Matt Lehman

9.5

Wonderful. — 10 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.3

Under the radar but a great paulliac.... Lead pencil and other characteristics dominate this glorious effort that opened up after two hours to reveal silky fruit and amazing depth... Yum. — 10 years ago

Matt Dubnik

9.4

Love this wine. Our go to. And under $20. Go through cases each year. — 11 years ago

Rob Landsness

Brand Ambassador/Agent Jeffrey Davis Signature Selections

9.4

93% Cab, 7% Petit Sirah, from the top regions of Central Coast. Spice box, tobacco, cassis, blackberries. Under $25 this is wide open and rocking! — 12 years ago

with Hahn

Julia van der Vink

Production Forlorn Hope Winery

9.9

Dry, botrytis, aged under flor. Whole new category. — 13 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Raspberry compote and ripe raspberry, almost a 'Fruit by the Foot' profile. Still some oak present, and slightly hot from the alcohol still, consistent with other Australian wines with the same bottle age. This is under screwcap, perhaps that's contributing to the freshness. Subsequent bottles should be 2020-2024. — 8 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.2

Great value for under $10. Really drinks above that price point.

Smooth dark fruits with spice on the finish. — 8 years ago

Matthew Zeunert

9.0

Amazing value, one of the best wines under $20 I have ever had. Cork did not want to come out with the electric opener be careful. Changes fast best to drink within the first 20-30 mins. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Established in 1861 as the first winery in the Napa Valley by Prussian-born Charles Krug. Today the winery remains under the stewardship of the Peter Mondavi Sr Family, who purchased the historic winery in 1943. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, dark red with ripe dark berry scents and sweet spice. On the palate sweet blackberry and cherry flavors with leather and cacao notes. Firm tannins are a bit tight but opened up by the time the bottle was empty. — 9 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.5

Dark blood red in color with a big cherry and tobacco nose. This wine has aged beautifully. On the palate it is bright and fresh but deep and complex, tart cherry, oak, tobacco and strawberry. Moderate plus tannins and moderate acid for a satisfying and chewy finish. At under $40 a bottle, this is a fantastic value. — 9 years ago

with Claire and Susan

web bond

9.3

Also bottled under Fallet-Crouzet, Fallet-Gourron, and Fallet-M. — 10 years ago

JKT

9.5

What a nose! Fruit but strongly tinged with spice and hints of cigar? Medium body with fruit and acid but latter lingers into finish which RC says should note be for Napa cab and sign of post prime by 5+ years. But still great to drink. Next day under agon the nose lost that spicy note but the palette holding very nicely. More rounded today. — 10 years ago

Martin Redmond

9.1

Pale yellow color with plentiful active tiny bubbles and marzipan, almond, pear, subtle citrus and a hint of smoke aromas. On the palate, it's refined, lively and fresh with a delicate creamy mousse, and apricot, apples, pear and lemon curd flavors dominate but hints of grapefruit, black currant and an appealing smoky minerality play in the background. Long finish. Cuvee 2011 Disgorged 2014. 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier 5% of wines matured in oak cask with weekly battonage - 10% of reserve wines matured in casks. Partial ML. Assemblage of 6 vintages from 40 different plots. Matured 3 years in cellar and 6 mo after disgorgement. Dosage between 10 adn 11 g/L. My favorite under $40 Champagne! — 11 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

A little plumper than prev vintages, but note2 self-best 16$ under value red — 12 years ago

Aaron Lee

9.1

A very nice deep smooth blend, not acidic, and somewhat smokey, one of the chefs out here recommended it, for under 20 a great bottle, next time I'll have some bison steak and cheese with this one ;) — 12 years ago

Lindsey Cullins

9.5

Great cheap wine under $20 — 14 years ago