Chateau Lassegue

NYC Wine Report
November 2006

"Lassègue 2004: This well regarded estate has long been an anonymous source for many of the right bank's best producers. Now the chateau is labeling it's own efforts, thanks to a partnership formed by American vintner Jess Jackson. They've crafted a winner right out of the gate. Lassègue 2004 is a complex, concentrated St. Emilion wit a lovely cherry-scented nose, firm tannins and a forward but elegant fruit profile. A rarity. Young, balanced Bordeaux that provides immediate gratification."

New York Sun
October 25, 2006

Château Lassègue 2003, Saint-Émilion: “Unlike most Bordeaux appellations, St. Emilion produces wines whose taste resists copying elsewhere in the wine world. Merlot and cabernet franc, the principal local grapes, turn into sedate yet full wines like Chateau Lassègue. The once-sleepy property has been invigorated by new owners that include Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke of Kendall Jackson fame. Unlike simpler wines, this one gets more interesting as the meal progresses, and that's what you're paying for." - Peter Hellman

The New York Times
Dining Out
October 11, 2006

Modern Strokes for an Old Chateau
At first glance the colorful label looks as if it belongs on a wine from California or Australia. But it is on a bottle from a Bordeaux winery, a Saint-Emilion grand cru, no less, and its bright design is a departure from the norm. (Most Bordeaux labels show a chateau or a crest on a white or a cream background.)

When Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, who own wineries in California, Italy, Chile and Australia, bought Chateau Lassegue three years ago with Monique and Pierre Seillan, who had worked with them since 1997, they decided to create a modern label.

The label on this wine, their first, a 2003, was inspired by a sundial on the property of the 17th-century chateau.

"So far the response from our colleagues in Bordeaux has been quite positive," Ms. Seillan said.

CellarTracker.com
July 11, 2006
By Fred Tasker

2003 Château Lassègue: France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion. At Pierre Seillan wine dinner at Duo, Miami. Decanted for 3 hours and paired with the rolled volaile (fowl); and also served with the 03 Vignot. The Lassegue was surprisingly accessible, and richer than the Vignot. I have been surprised at how accessible the 03 French wines in general are. Those that survived the heat have demonstrated Napa like character and drinkability. At a $45+/- price very good QPR. 91 points

2003 Château Vignot St. Émilion Grand Cru: France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru. At Duo, Miami Pierre Seillan wine dinner. Decanted 3 hours. Cousin to the Lassegue. Very drinkable now and an excellent QPR. Wine had good but modest bouquet and while quite flavorful, is not as intense or rich as the slightly pricier Lassegue. I will buy both, but prefer the Lassegue for its richness, complexity and potential. This was Seillan's 1st vintage in Saint-Émilion, and he and Jess Jackson only closed on the property mid-summer. The 04s and 05s would seem to offer great promise, and hopefully for 05, a reasonable value. I wouldn't be surprised to see these Saint-Émilions approach the quality of the Verites, whose 1st vintage was 98! 90 points

San Francisco Chronicle, "Affordable Bordeaux"
June 8, 2006
By Tim Teichgraeber
(Front page bottle shot of 2003 Chateau Vignot)

“A joint venture between Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke of Kendall Jackson and winemaker Pierre Seillan that returns to his Bordeaux roots. The hot 2003 growing season shows through in the slightly baked plum, black cherry, red currant and coffee aromas. Good acidity balances the ripeness and soft tannins round it out.”

La Revue du Vin de France, RVF
June 2006 (Translated)

Saint-Émilion -
Exceptional successes:
- Château Cheval Blanc, Le Petit Cheval
- Château d’Ausone, La Chapelle d’Ausone
- Clos Dubreuil
- Lassègue: “A wine of great finesse, voluptuous & harmonious”
- Lynsolence

The 10 best wines of the 2005 Bordeaux:
1. Château Lassègue (Saint-Émilion)
2. Château Brillette (Moulis)
3. Clos Floridène ( Graves Red)
4. Château Feytit-Clinet (Pomerol)
5. Château d’Aiguilhe ( Côtes de Castillon)
6. Château du Gaby (Canon Fronsac)
7. Château Haut Bergeron (Sauternes)
8. Château Moulin de Chasserat ( Blaye)
9. Vieux Chateau Palon (Montagne Saint Emilion)
10. Château Pey La Tour ( Bordeaux Supérieur)

Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits' Primeurs Journal:
Saint-Émilion: Rich and Easy Drinking
May 2006

Château Lassègue 2005 Saint-Émilion Cru
Recommended, well made wine of this vintage
"This vineyard is located on the east side of the Saint-Émilion plateau as it slopes down to the Côtes de Castillon; it was recently purchased by a partnership between the Seillon and Jackson families (of Kendall-Jackson). Pierre Seillon has now worked three vintages mapping the site and makes two wines from the property: Lassègue from the rocky white limestone and clay soils on the hill and Vignot (a different selection) from the sandier clay and gravel soils below. The 2005 Lassègue has the gentle tenderness of merlot and the cool, dark length of cabernet (the vineyard includes 35 percent cabernet franc and 5 percent cabernet sauvignon). It's sleek and should reward five to eight years in the cellar."

Jean Marc Quarin, Independent Guide of Wines
April 19, 2006 (Translated)

2005 Lassègue: “Dark purple-black, clean nose, very very fruity, fresh, floral and at the same time hints of cocoa. At first it is soft and tender in the mouth, evolving to be full in the middle of the mouth. The wine develops in the mouth; fleshy, voluptuous and ample with a large concentration of fruit (raspberries and cherries). It melts in the end, with a complex taste that is perfectly ripe and coating. A very long and savory wine. It is a must!" 16.75-17 out of 20 points - Excellent

2005 Château Vignot: “Other property vinified at Château Lassègue, whose soil is more sandy than that of Lassègue. Purple color. Clean nose, discreet, but with a depth of fruit. The tender structure evokes the more sandy terroir. Juicy in the mouth, this wine melts in the finish; powerful, cocoa notes and long. A pleasure, and above all perfectly round tannins." 15.75-16 out of 20 points - Very Good

Taste Pro
April 18, 2005
Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve

“Purchased by the Kendall Jackson family from California, this well-situated property, at the foot and on the slopes of the Saint Hippolyte plateau, is managed by Pierre Seillan from Bordeaux (along with wineries in California and Tuscany). The 2004 has a beautiful depth which is smooth and earthy, complemented by well extracted and soft tannins and a fresh taste. A true success." 91-93

Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
April 2005

2004 Lassègue: “With American Jess Jackson’s first venture into Bordeaux, he has shown that, along with his top-flight French winemaker, Pierre Seillan (of Vérité fame), he is capable of achieving immediate success. This is a relatively hot micro-climate, and the vineyard is well-situated on both limestone and sand, several miles from Pavie and Larcis Ducasse. The 2003 was a good beginning, and the 2004 Lassègue, a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, is meant for patient connoisseurs. There are 4,500 cases of this deep ruby/purple-colored Saint-Émilion. Its powerful, sweet nose of cassis, licorice, smoke, and damp earth is followed by a medium-bodied, tannic effort that is best cellared for 4-5 years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+.” 90-91 points

2003 Lassègue: "The debut vintage for American Jess Jackson’s new baby is a dark plum/ruby-hued effort offering scents of damp earth, ripe black currants, cherries, and hints of licorice and new wood. Possessing high tannin, medium body, and an austere finish, it is a good first effort meant for serious connoisseurs with patience as it will require cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016."

Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
April 2006

2005 Lassègue: “This tannic, backward, structured, sizeable Saint-Émilion exhibits a steely backbone, huge tannins, and equally huge extract. Reserved, weighty, and rich on the palate, it is a good choice for young readers who have the time to wait for it to come into focus and shed some of its tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030. P.S. This is the Saint-Émilion estate of California visionary, Jess Jackson.”
90-92 points

Jancis Robinson, Bordeaux 2005 Tasting Notes
April 2006

2005 Lassègue: "Blacksih purple. Tarry, inky aromas and a suggestion of over-ripeness on the palate. Lots of quite aggressive tannin, but I'd like to see a little more acidity and freshness of fruit, especially on the rather heavy finish." Drink 2012-2018. 15.5 pts

2005 Château Vignot: “Roasted aromas. Black fruits and then a stern, sudden finish with a lack of substance across the back palate. From the same stable as Lassègue.” Drink 2010-2016. 15 pts

Delta Airlines in flight Sky magazine
September 2006
Pie in the Sky – What Paul Pacult's Pouring

3 stars

2003 Château Vignot, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru: “The prices that fine Bordeaux fetch these days make even stout-heated veterans gasp. Cheer up mon ami. Grand Cru Vignot, a succulent, peppery blend of 60 percent Merlot and 40 percent Cabernet Franc, offers barrels full of cedary pipe-tobacco aromas and dried fruit tastes that magically turn flank steak in to a filet mignon. Buy three bottles and lay down two for two to four years."

Miami Herald
July 20, 2006
By Fred Tasker

Highly recommended

2003 Château Vignot, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru: light, dry and aromatic with flavors of raspberry and cinnamon; soft tannins; intensely fruity.

2003 Lassègue, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru: intense flavors and aromas of black cherries, minerals and spice; firm tannin; tart, fruity finish.

2006 Harvest Notes from Pierre Seillan
2006 was another exceptional year for Lassègue and Château Vignot. All of the meteorological factors (sun exposure, light, temperature, rainfall) united to create a great vintage.
Château Vignot 2003: The 2003 vintage displays an elegantly perfumed and complex bouquet. In the mouth, a lush richness creates a long and lasting finish.
Château Vignot 2004: The 2004 vintage offers abundant red and dark fruit flavors. The spiced elegance and finesse of this vintage is representative of great Saint Emilion wines from the base of the slopes.
Château Vignot 2005: The sheer strength of the 2005 vintage displays a powerful, rich and complex balance of flavors. A voluptuous mouthfeel is harmonized by extensive fruit flavors.
Lassègue 2003: The 2003 vintage expresses a bouquet of spiced red and dark fruits. This wine is evolving but elegantly approachable at the present time.
Lassègue 2004: The 2004 vintage requires more time to develop an arsenal of complexity and richly smooth tannins. This wine is showing early signs of an expressive bouquet.
Lassègue 2005: The remarkable 2005 vintage displays a rich and intense complexity of flavors. The long finish is complemented by round tannins. Currently in the process of barrel aging.

Anthony Dias Blue, Blue Lifestyle
Wine of the Week, August 21-25, 2006

2003 Château Lassègue Grand Cru Saint-Émilion: “Jess Jackson picked a difficult vintage to make his first Saint-Émilion but his new chateau has yielded a lovely, ripe (but not too ripe) wine bursting with clean plum and fresh acidity; it is long, pure and beautifully balanced and showing rich fruit, soft oak and excellent breeding. An auspicious debut. Gorgeous package.” 92 points

Roger Morris, wine writer for News Journal, Saveur, Drinks, Sommelier News, Intermezzo and Beverage Media
April 2006

"The 2005 vintage was a stupendous one, so prices will be high. But it was also a small crop, so practically every chateau has less to sell.... The 2005 growing season was perfect — dry, but not overly hot, which produced small grapes with intense flavors. Sugars and acids held in balance for the last two weeks until ripeness was achieved.... On the Right Bank, Ausone was at the head of the class of top growths I tasted, with Vieux-Chateau-Certan, an extremely elegant and impressive wine, close by. I also was impressed by Pavie Macquin, Corbin, Bon Pasteur, Lassègue, Angelus, Berliquet, Pavie, Beauregard, La Conseillante, La Croix de Gay and Troplong Mondot...."