2013 Chateau Lassegue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 750 ml

Pierre Seillan is a legend. The French-born winemaker is the genius behind the 100-point-scoring Vérité in California, Tuscan standout Tenuta di Arceno, and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Lassègue. 

It’s rare to be able to enjoy a cellared example of Seillan’s work, which tends to be spoken for by collectors. Lucky diners will also find them on wine lists like that of Daniel Boulud’s DANIEL, where they match the exquisite Bordeaux with their licorice-hazelnut crusted Pennsylvania lamb chop with sunchoke, Minnesota wild rice, and jus d’agneau perlée.

Named after the sundials on the outside of the château, in honor of the incredible exposure to sunlight that Lassègue enjoys, Château Lassègue is blessed with a terroir that would be enviable anywhere in the world. Chalk and chalky-clay soils dominate and give the wine its structure and finesse, but each parcel on the property is unique enough that Seillan has pioneered a method of vinification by what he calls “micro-crus.” 

In other words, fruit from each individual soil is crushed, fermented, and aged separately, to allow the terroir to speak as clearly as possible. On top of that, Seillan has pioneered the use of barrels from not just specific forests in France, but also in using barrels custom made for him, hewn from wood from specific parts of each forest. 

The Merlot and Cabernet Franc-driven blend is beefed up by 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it spent 12 months in 60% new French oak before bottling. Now, after a decade in the cellar, it’s drinking beautifully, a perfect pairing for a world-class restaurant meal or the finest dinner you can make at home. What a fantastic wine.