Château La Lagune 2023

Chateau La Lagune is a red from AOC Haut-Medoc in Bordeaux, made under Caroline Frey from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The estate, on the southern edge of the Medoc, has been farmed biodynamically for years, with the aim of keeping the vineyard healthy and expressing its gravel terroir. Those deep gravel soils drain freely and store the day's heat, helping Cabernet Sauvignon ripen fully and lending the wine its firm tannic backbone, while Merlot fills the middle and Petit Verdot adds colour and spice. The Atlantic climate keeps the growing season long and moderate. The wine is aged twelve months in 225-litre French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and adds cedar and a fine toast without masking the fruit. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows redcurrant, cherry and plum over cedar, tobacco, cocoa and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is medium to full bodied, structured and fresh, with firm but ripe tannins and a long, lightly toasted finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb and beef.