I admit that I did not know this Chateau.
And yet, it’s a real Chateau. Actually, a castle. A castle built in the 1300s, with some sections, even earlier.
Appellation Haut Medoc, located just north of Margaux according to Leve’s website. The cepage, 45% Cabernet, 35% merlot, 15% Cab Franc and 5% petite verdot.
And shockingly, Jeff and I completely agree on this wine, in this vintage, where he notes with a 90-score:
With charm, fresh, dark red fruits, espresso and earthy aromas, the wine has lift and a fine tobacco and red fruit character in the finish.
Neal Martin is even bigger on this Medoc classic. Spurrier is as well, calling Lamarque, “a bastion of tradition: vinification is in stainless steel and cement vats, each plot fermented separately . . . With 15% new oak.”
What it does not have is an overt presence of new oak, extraction or elevated alcohol. It reminds me of a pre-Bouard Lanessan in a year like 2010, starting a bit hard with high acid and dryness, but eventually opening into a really lovely wine. Earth, forrest floor, cassis and dark red fruits, fresh roast coffee grounds, with firm, chalky tannins. Lots of structure to this wine, evocative of its castle. I grabbed a case of this to split with a buddy, with a Total Wine BTC price of $22 per bottle. Pardon the pun, a Total steal. I’m going back for more.
If you like Lanessan and Cambon La Pelouse from a vintage like 2010, grab this wine. TW has it on the shelves for $26.99, but as we all know, wait for the 20% coupon.
While I like rustic young wines like this, it really could use some years to integrate and soften.
(90 pts.)