Description

A wonderful Bordeaux in the old style; savoury and austere. Modern vintages have the advantage of Hubert de Bouard, the owner of Chateau Angelus as their consultant. Their Estate is 80 ha on the gravel soils near St-Julien. Lanessan Haut-Medoc has 45 ha planted to vines. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

“A sleeper of the vintage, Lanessan’s 1996 boasts an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple color, and knock-out aromatics of melted chocolate, asphalt, and cassis. Deep, rich, and medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and purity, this impressively-endowed, flavorful, well-structured wine should be at its finest between 2004-2016.” Robert Parker 4/1999

Haut Medoc 

A catch all appellation that is about 60km long on the left bank of Bordeaux. There are few classified vineyards in this generic appellation and no discernible regional style. There are however, a handful of wonderful wines that are often overlooked, are great value and ultimately are great Bordeaux.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The noble variety of Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm tannins, a streak of acidity and punctuated by flavours of cassis, violets, spice and leather. The best examples can age for the long term. Although Cabernet does often require blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to fix the hole it has in its middle palate.

Merlot

It gets a tough time most of the places it is grown. But in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Merlot not only dominates but makes some of the best wines in the world. Perfume, silky and plush. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon season the wines with structure and acid but in some places, like Petrus they are almost not needed.

Cabernet Franc 

Is actually one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon… along with Sauvignon Blanc (oh! The name makes sense now!).  It is most famous for being the third most important grape in quality Bordeaux but also excels in the Loire Valley (where it lived before it went to Bordeaux), especially Chinon and Saumur. The wines are bright red in colour, highlight aromatic with raspberries, rose petals, violets along with tobacco, cassis and some herbal elements. The best examples can live as long as any great wine.

1996

Almost the perfect vintage for the Left Bank and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines will be looking mature but the best (and best stored) will have plenty of life in them yet.