Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Some ripe dark-fruit aromas here lead to a palate with a wealth of rich plum-flavored flesh and slightly tangy acidity. It's all delivered long up to the deep, plush, linear finish. Impressive wine. Try from 2022.
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Wine Enthusiast
From vineyards surrounding the medieval moated castle, this wine is well balanced, rich and yet structured. It has great blackberry fruit and dry tannins for aging and it's coming together well. Drink from 2022. Cellar Selection
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Jeb Dunnuck
Château d’Agassac is run by Jean-Luc Zell and is in the Ludon-Médoc, south of the village of Macau. They’ve turned out a brilliant 2015 Château D'Agassac based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new barrels. This beauty gives up lots of ripe black raspberry and cherry fruit as well spice, toasted bread, and subtle background oak. With medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, supple texture, and present tannin, it will keep for 10-15 years and is a smoking value.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
While it claims the same basic landscape as the Medoc—only every so slightly elevated above river level—the Haut Medoc is home to all of the magnificent chateaux of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, creating no lack of beautiful sites to see.
These chateaux, residing over the classed-growth cru in the villages of Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe are within the Haut Medoc appellation. Though within the confines of these villages, any classed-growth chateaux will most certainly claim village or cru status on their wine labels.
Interestingly, some classed-growth cru of the Haut Medoc fall outside of these more famous villages and can certainly be a source of some of the best values in Bordeaux. Deep in color, and concentrated in ripe fruit and tannins, these wines (typically Cabernet Sauvignon-based) often prove the same aging potential of the village classed-growths. Among these, the highest ranked chateaux are Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle.