Chateau Lanessan Haut Medoc 2012

Chateau Lanessan lies just across the stream which divides the Haut-Médoc from Saint-Julien, on a ridge of Bordeaux’s famous Garonne gravel, and is in sight of both Chateau Beychevelle and Chateau Branaire-Ducru. It has been in the Delbos family since 1793, when it was purchased by Jean Delbos. In 1907, his granddaughter married into the Bouteiller family who continues to own the property to this day. The vines cover 45 hectares of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc and their average age is 30 years. Since 2009 it has been run by the energetic young winemaker Paz Espejo who has developed a reputation for producing Cru Classé standard wines at Cru Bourgeois prices. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 18 months and is ready to drink now although it will keep for a further 5-7 years.

A dark ruby in colour. Aromas of cassis, roasted herbs and loamy earth. On the palate, medium-bodied and concentrated yet round with soft tannins leading to a lingering finish. Great with beef tenderloin with roasted shallots, pan-roasted pork loin with an olive and blue cheese stuffing or a chunk of Roquefort cheese.