Winemaker Notes
The average age of the vines is 24 years.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A fabulous sleeper of the vintage, this estate, which has made a succession of brilliant wines under the administration of Bordeaux's visionary Bernard Magrez, has turned out another terrific effort. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine exhibits a sensational smorgasbord of aromas ranging from red and black fruits to toasty oak to licorice, high quality cigar tobacco, and spice box. Flavorful and full-bodied, with rich fruit, moderate but sweet tannin, and a long, pure finish, this is a dazzling effort in 2006 that should hit its adolescent stage in about 4-5 years and last for two decades. Excellent value
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Connoisseurs' Guide
50% Merlot; 40% Cabernet Sauvignon; 7% Cabernet Franc; 3% Petit Verdot. Here is a well-ripened and solidly filled wine that in many ways bridges the gap between the old and new worlds. Its concentrated, plum and black currant themes are framed by sweet oak and glimmers of chocolate are scattered throughout its length. Its ample tannins are buffered by plenty of fruit stuffing, and its exemplary balance guarantees five to ten years of real improvement.
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Wine Spectator
A rich, dark red, with cooked plum and licorice aromas. Full-bodied and long, with lots of fruit and velvety tannins. Impressive for the vintage. Best after 2012. 21,870 cases made.
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.