Wine of the Month - May 2021

Laguna Cellar Wine of the Month Selection for May 2021

• Château Carbonnieux 2015 -This adored property has one of the longest and most extensive histories in all of Bordeaux, dating back to the 12th Century.  The vineyard is an astonishing 900-hectares, making it the largest in the appellation.  Yet despite its size, Château Carbonnieux still manages to have rigorous quality control, yielding some gorgeous, charming, and consistent wines.   The wines are produced at Château Carbonnieux with a mixture of tradition and modern innovation, resulting in timeless red and white wines, with much critical acclaim.  Balance is key at the estate, and if there was one word to describe the vinification process, it would be “gentle.”  The aim here is to preserve the wine’s roundness and mineral qualities – never to create some over-the-top, roughly tannic wine.  This results in incredibly beautiful and balanced wines that are versatile enough to drink after some decanting or lay down for years to come.  The 2015 vintage was a compelling and sought-after one, filled with elegance and restraint.  We can assure you once you experience Château Carbonnieux, you will be a fan for years to come.
• Château Villemaurine 2015 -This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classés Estate has a name that dates back to the 8th Century, when an army of invaders took up residency and built a village on this Right Bank property.  They named the camp, Ville Maure which meant, “city of the Moors.”  In 2007 the property was purchased by Justin Onclin, a man who was determined to restore the estate to its original splendor.  Justin brings his passion to the estate and has spared no expense in renovating the property and equipping it with state-of-the-art technology.  Château Villemaurine now hosts a brand-new vat room in addition to newly renovated underground cellars.  This property is located in the Saint-Émilion clay-limestone plateau, with soils comparable to superstar properties like Château Trottevielle and Château Pavie Macquin.  The small, 7-hectare parcel is planted with a mixture of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.   Scores have been climbing up the ladder since extensive changes were made to the estate, and these elegant, terroir-driven wines are famous for their minerality and long aftertaste.
• Château Marquis d'Alesme 2015 - This superstar Third Growth Margaux property made an impressive turnaround under the reign of Nathalie Perrodo and her brilliant team.  During 2015, the property underwent an extensive renovation and sweeping changes were made to the vineyards.  Nathalie hired the gifted enologist and general manager, Marjolaine Maurice de Coninck and Michelle Rolland as a consultant.  Marquis d’Alesme is now a sustainably farmed property that practices biodynamic farming.  The team harvests according to the lunar calendar, uses cover crops, and has a series of beehives to help with cross pollination.  Everything is harvested by hand here, and only the choicest berries are reserved for the wines.  Château Marquis d’Alesme is a hidden gem, and one of the better values of a Margaux estate. At Laguna Cellar we consider it one of the best kept secrets of Bordeaux. Yet with all that in mind, critics are beginning to take notice that Marquis d’Alesme’s star is on the rise.  It’s only a matter of time until that secret gets out.
• La Raison d'Hêtre 2017 - Produced by Maxime Thienpont at the Côtes de Bordeaux property acquired by his family in 2015, he is putting the teachings of his uncles (Nicolas Thienpont at Pavie Macquin, Alexandre Thienpont at Vieux Chateau Certan, and Jacques Thienpont at Le Pin, read more here How Le Pin came to be Bordeaux's most expensive wine) to good use at this up-and-coming appellation where almost every top winemaker from the Right Bank (Durantou, von Neipperg, Thienpont) has set their next expansion goal.

Château Carbonnieux 2015 -"The 2015 Carbonnieux is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot matured in 30% new barrels for 15-18 months. It has a surprisingly high-toned and opulent bouquet, with kirsch and orange sorbet infusing the cassis and raspberry fruit. The palate is sweet and generous in style, harmonious in the mouth, with the structure only becoming apparent as it wends its way to the finish. Perhaps it just cuts away a little swiftly, but otherwise this remains a very well-crafted and highly enjoyable Pessac-Léognan." - Neal Martin, The  Wine Advocate, Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2020-2042

Château Villemaurine 2015 -"The 2015 Villemaurine is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged in 70% new and 30% one-year-old oak barrels for 16 months. Medium garnet-purple in color, it is scented of crushed black cherries, mulberries and blackberry preserves with cedar chest and rose hip hints. Medium to full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins, it's tightly knit with loads of layers and wonderful purity, finishing with great length and depth." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2/21/2018, Interim Issue), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2021-2043

Château Marquis d'Alesme 2015 - "The 2015 Marquis d'Alesme Becker is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and a broody, earthy/meaty nose over a core of crushed black currants, plum preserves and blackberry pie with hints of Indian spices and potpourri. The medium to full-bodied mouth displays a great core of rich black fruit flavors and a firm frame of ripe tannins plus seamless acid with a long, earthy finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2/21/2018, Interim Issue), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2021-2039