Lanessan is from the Left Bank’s Haut-Médoc. This is the land of Cabernet Sauvignon, where Napoleon ordered the Grand Cru Classification of 1855, which resulted in the naming of the very top châteaux of such... Read More

Lanessan is from the Left Bank’s Haut-Médoc. This is the land of Cabernet Sauvignon, where Napoleon ordered the Grand Cru Classification of 1855, which resulted in the naming of the very top châteaux of such famous communes as Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint Julien. Lanessan’s vines are actually right up against the famous Grand Cru Classé of Saint Julien, Gruaud-Larose. Lanessan has similar gravel soils and works traditionally (fermentation in concrete and aging in a mix of old and new barrels), producing a classic Left-Bank Bordeaux of approximately Classified Growth quality.

Which raises an interesting question: If this is such a great wine so close to very top terroir, why wasn't it classified in the famous 1855 classification? Turns out the owner didn't want to do the paperwork. And as a result, the wine is one of the best deals in Bordeaux to this day.