1986 Château La Lagune
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Tasting notes
The 1986 La Lagune has a deep colour with less bricking than the 1982 by comparison. I find the nose here superior than the 1982 with plenty of fruit on the nose: wild strawberry, raspberry and red cherries mixed with tobacco and roasted chestnut. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, a little austere in keeping with the vintage with firm backbone. It is certainly still fresh but you might describe it as a “serious” La Lagune. There is gentle grip on the finish and commendable aftertaste. It probably just lacks the length of a top tier 1986 but at 32 years, this will do nicely. Tasted at the La Lagune vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This wine continues to get better and better, yet is still not close to full maturity, despite what I would have thought 16 years ago. The wine has a dense, dark plum/ruby color with just a bit of lightening at the edge. A sweet nose of black cherries intermixed with balsam wood, vanilla, and Provencal herbs has an almost Rhone-like character to it. The wine is medium to full-bodied, rich, with a lot of flesh, light to moderate tannin, and great balance and purity. This wine has approached its plateau of drinking. It should hold for at least another 10-15 years. Very impressive! Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 12/02.
Plenty of pretty wood dominates this Bordeaux, with sweet vanilla, cedar and smoky oak that overshadows the ripe fruit. With time it should be more complex. Drinkable now. (6/30/89). James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1989
This wine continues to get better and better, yet is still not close to full maturity, despite what I would have thought 16 years ago. The wine has a dense, dark plum/ruby color with just a bit of lightening at the edge. A sweet nose of black cherries intermixed with balsam wood, vanilla, and Provencal herbs has an almost Rhone-like character to it. The wine is medium to full-bodied, rich, with a lot of flesh, light to moderate tannin, and great balance and purity. This wine has approached its plateau of drinking. It should hold for at least another 10-15 years. Very impressive! Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 12/02. Jan 2003, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
A Third Growth, this Haut-Médoc estate has been owned by the Frey family since 2000. They’ve invested significantly in the vineyard, cellar and château itself, rapidly realising ambitious plans for the property.