Located in Magescq in the Landes, just behind the Relais de la Poste, the Domaine de La Petite Lagune is a real treasure: 1200 vines (50% Merlot, 30% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) planted in a mainly sandy soil located on a vein of clay, perfect for the production of fine wines.

A THOUSAND VINES AS A GIFT

A beautiful story of family and friendship born for the 50th birthday of the two-Michelin-starred chef Jean Coussau, in 1999. His friends had given him fifty fruit trees, and his brother Jacques gave him a thousand vines! La Petite Lagune produces 900 bottles of red wine per year, with a first vintage in 2002.

The harvest is entirely destemmed by hand. The winemaker and consultant Philippe Garcia, friend of the Coussau family, who notably worked as cellar master at Château Malartic-Lagravière (Cru Classé from Graves), brings all his know-how to the vineyard as well as to the cellar.

TASTING OF THE 2003 AND 2018 VINTAGES

We were lucky enough to taste two vintages of La Petite Lagune during Easter and I must admit that I was amazed by the silkiness and finesse of the two wines. In tasting, we feel all the meticulous work carried out in the vineyard, the perfectly chosen harvest date, the drastic selection made on the sorting table, as well as the  light oak aging which delicately sublimates the wine.




La Petite Lagune 2003 (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) : nose on blackcurrant bud, blackberry, liquorice, black pepper and leather. A lot of energy and elegance, with velvety and melted tannins. Stunning. We could even have waited a few more years before drinking it!

La Petite Lagune 2018 (Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon), decanted 24h. Nose of gooseberry, plum, garrigue and tobacco leaf. Silky tannins. Great aging potential. The wine is still young and made me think of those great Bordeaux made in the past and that had to be patiently forgotten in the cellar for a few decades before daring to open a bottle.

Both vintages were tasted with confit duck legs and hash browns. A delight!

Photo credits: “Vineyard and panel of La Petite Lagune“ ©Didier Leplat - “Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard“ ©Clément Garby - “Philippe Garcia and Jean Coussau“ ©Didier Leplat