La Lagune 2005

This is very tight and closed still but shows a beautiful line of tannins and freshness. It’s full-bodied,with structure and length. Light tea. Powerful and long. Needs a year or two to open and soften.

A final blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot from the Frey family, the 2005 is a gorgeous La Lagune, and one of the first great ones under the Frey administration. This wine has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of sandalwood, black raspberries, and cassis, silky sweet tannin, medium to full body, and a textured, long, pure mouthfeel and finish. This wine is probably 3-4 years away from prime-time drinking, but it should evolve gorgeously for another 20-25 years.

The 2005 La Lagune has an attractive bouquet with plenty of blackberry, raspberry, minerals and dried flowers, the oak neatly integrated. This blossoms nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but firm tannin, just a little chewiness on the front end but considerable weight and concentration at the back. Like many 2005s there is a solid backbone to this wine, to wit, a La Lagune built for long-term ageing. There is firm grip on the finish and as such it needs another two or three years in bottle. Tasted at the La Lagune vertical at the château.

(-) Bright ruby-red. Aromas and flavors of currant, mocha, tobacco and smoke, complemented by sweet, nutty oak. Lush, sweet and seamless; quite full for La Lagune. This generous, impressively concentrated wine finishes with sweet tannins, a whiplash of flavor and real mouthcoating breadth. I underrated this two years ago.