Lagrange (St Julien) 1985

It had been a few years since I last saw a bottle of the 1985 Lagrange, and this most recent bottle at the château during the En Primeur tastings of the 2011s (in April of 2012) showed very well indeed. The very pretty and refined bouquet wafts from the glass in a blend of black cherries, black truffles, cigar smoke, a nice dollop of fresh herbs, gravelly soil tones and a touch of coffee bean in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, complex and very well-balanced, with good, but not great depth at the core, melting tannins and lovely length and grip on the complex and à point finish. This is showing a touch greater purity than it did when I reported on it for the Lagrange historical piece a few years ago and is a lovely example of the vintage. (Drink between 2012-2035)