Chateau Lanessan Vertical (55,95,96,00,01,03,05,08)

Tasted Friday, January 13, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 1,108 views

Introduction

Last night, my friend and Bber Dick L. hosted a tasting from his cellar of Chateau Lanessan. Back in the day, the 1955 was his epiphany wine. This is a relatively inexpensive haut medoc wine that really needs some time to strut its stuff. I thought Dick did a great job in prepping the wines (decanting them all except slowox for the 55). (Plus it kept the riff-raff, those who hate decanting ;-), away from the tasting). All the wines showed well. This is an estate that provides great QPR in a place, Bordeaux, that many say is way over priced.

The wines were enjoyed over 3 hours. Breads and cheeses were served.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

A couple of blind Rieslings to start the evening.

Flight 2 (8 Notes)

Chateau Lanessan:

  • 1955 Château Lanessan 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    What an honor to be drinking this. It may not be outstanding, but it is really cool. Ruby with some purple, looking 40 years younger than it is. Great Bordeaux nose of sandalwood, slight funk, and a bit of cassis. Not quite as good on the palate, a bit thin. Still, it has a lot to offer. Not quite as complex as I might have hoped, but a fine wine. This was slowoxed for five hours before consuming.

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  • 1995 Château Lanessan 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    This took some time to open up despite the 4 hour decant. Ruby/purple in color. With air in the glass, some cassis, tobacco and a bit of warm earth develops. Great texture. Juicy with solid tannins. Slowly unwinding in my glass. Needs time, but it is a delicious wine.

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  • 1996 Château Lanessan Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Not sure if this was representative or not. The nose was more like raspberry kool-aid powder although someone said Grape Ne-hi soft drink. It had a certain complexity on the palate, but lacked the fruit. Nice texture. It was decanted for 3 hours and we wondered if that was too much. I also thought I got some TCA for a brief second, but then it was gone. Perhaps at a really low level? Not a bad wine, but mine and the groups last place wine.

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  • 2000 Château Lanessan 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Purple with some ruby swirls. Decanted four hours, it still needed more air/time. This was the WOTN. As it opens there is tobacco, sandalwood, funk and cassis. A wall of tannins. Complex yet still dense and tight layers. Lots of cassis. Great lush texture. Very sexy. Raspberries, cherries and cranberries on the palate. Long finish. I would suspect there is room for improvement as well. Glad I own some and might get some more.

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  • 2001 Château Lanessan 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Decanted 3:30. Its a fine wine but just not in the league with most of these wines. A slight prune note on the nose, so perhaps it was mishandled but other signs of heat. Also some simple cassis notes. The palate is a bit bitter and just does not have the texture, the fruit nor the complexity of the other wines. Yet, even this wine for the price does have some value.

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  • 2003 Château Lanessan 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Decanted 3.5 hours. Certainly an product of its vintage, but within bounds. It is the most fruit forward wine and could pass for new world. Its developed and ready to go with some complexity. A fair amount of tannins. Lots of fruit but I did not find it pruney or raisiny although some did I think. No reason to wait.

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  • 2005 Château Lanessan 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Eventually, I think this may surpass the 2000 but not yet. It is very tight, on the nose and the palate. Yet, the texture is so superb that it makes for great, if non-complex drinking right now. This was decanted for 4 hours and 12 hours would be fine. There is a lot of good stuff lurking underneath. Glad to own some, but they will wait.

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  • 2008 Château Lanessan 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    I see the low scores on CT and I am surprised. This was a delightful bottle of wine that can be found for $20. I am getting some more. I hope this was a representative bottle. Lots of solid cassis on the nose. Firm tannins. Nice juicy texture. Delicious. Nothing here not to like. Great QPR. Not ready yet, and no harm drinking it now, but a decade should make a great wine.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

And some Port to conclude:

  • 1994 Dow Porto Vintage 90 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    This has lots of pieces parts but was way too young and hot for my tastes. It had been decanted for 6 hours and needed a lot more for me. Nice prunes and plums on the nose. A bit of coffee grounds. Lots of alcohol and heat. I would hold these for a while.

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Closing

Thanks for inviting me Dick!

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