| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This château is the largest of all the classed growths with 117 hectares of vines (4 of which are planted with white varieties). Top quality Saint Julien has been produced here since the late 1980s when it was bought by the Suntory group of Japan. This quality level is partly achieved by the production of a very good second wine, Les Fiefs de Lagrange, which in most vintages makes up more than 50% of production. The red varieties are planted 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
The 2020 Lagrange is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2019. Offering up aromas of crème de cassis and plums mingled with hints of violets, licorice, pencil shavings and vanilla pod, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep core of ripe but vibrant fruit that's framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves with gentle grip on the finish. 2027 - 2055
The 2020 Lagrange has wonderful control and mineralité on the nose, very precise and well defined, a touch of dried rose petal emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, white pepper and a saline undertow. Very complex and persistent on the finish, this is one of the more cerebral wines of the vintage. It's not to be underestimated (though too often, it is). Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2030 - 2060
Blackberry and currant with light graphite undertones. It’s medium-bodied with fine, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish.
Composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Lagrange is deep garnet-purple in color. It gallops out with energetic notes of fresh, juicy black currants and black cherries, leading to hints of tar, garrigue, espresso, and tapenade. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular fruit, supported by grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and fruity.
An enjoyable Lagrange, with a feeling of well-measured confidence, balanced and plenty of dark cassis and bilberry fruits. Serious, as is often the case with these 2020 wines, clearly one that needs time, but there is slate and fresh mint leaf in abundance, with grip and confident tannic architecture. 50% less volume than usual after the dry summer. An upscore from En Primeur.
Full bottle 1,360 g. Cask sample taken 2 April. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, aged for 21 months in barrels of which 60% were new.
Bright, deep crimson. Nose a little smudgy with a hint of acidity and then sweetness. Tannins notably well masked. Very dry, even austere, uncompromising finish. 13.5%
Drink 2028 – 2043
The 2020 is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot that will be aged for 21 months in 60% new French oak. This was the smallest crop harvested at Lagrange for 30 years. Deep ruby colour. Peppery on the nose with ripe red cherries and a little nutmeg. The palate has a fleshy core of red and black fruit to give a plump, juicy mouthfeel. The tannins are ripe but plentiful, giving a crunchy, grippy texture that lingers in tandem with sweet spices on the finish.
(74% CS, 24% M, 2% PV; 13.5% ABV)
Mineral-backed, ripe black-fruit Cabernet Sauvignon; full, vital in acidity, very fine if firm in tannin; long and juicy, opulent and vivid at once, all framed by a firm, close-grained tannin, lovely length to taste, and mouthcoating fragrant length.A finely honed combination of density, flesh, and firmness, classic in the best sense. Fairly long-term. 2030–50+.
The 2020 Lagrange is the smallest production ever since each vine bestowed 4.2 bunches instead of 7 bunches per vines, plus the berries were small, ergo yield was just 26hL/ha. That's less than 2017 when they suffered frost! This year represents 38% of the crop. It has a delightful, precise bouquet, delineated with minerally black fruit, touches of sous-bois and a subtle marine/oyster shell influence. The palate is detailed and mineral-driven, very pure and harmonious, a mélange of red and black fruit, silky smooth with impressive depth. This is a quintessential Lagrange, very seductive and I bet it will be under-estimated by some people. Not me.
The 2020 Lagrange has a sensual, beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-infused black fruit, briar, touches of wild mint and crushed stone, conveying wonderful energy and precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, tensile and focused, delivering plenty of energy and an almost steely but persistent finish. This is a classy Lagrange from winemaker Matthieu Bordes and his team. I always feel this Saint-Julien is underrated, but it will challenge the best 2020s from the appellation. Drink 2028-2050.
Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Lagrange leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, ripe blackcurrants and minted blackberries, followed by nuances of dark chocolate, star anise and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is both super intense and super elegant, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness to frame the bright, crunchy black and red fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. Drink 2025-2050
Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Lagrange leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, ripe blackcurrants and minted blackberries, followed by nuances of dark chocolate, star anise and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is both super intense and super elegant, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness to frame the bright, crunchy black and red fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. 2025 - 2050
Purity, juice and precision, with clear blackcurrant pastille fruit laced with liqourice, cocoa beans, smoked cedar and cigar box. This is excellent, with a sense of forward motion, carefully spliced fruit and well-handled slate-textured tannic grip. Enjoyed En Primeur and even more so now. 50% less volume than usual, 50% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.
A perky, bright and enjoyable Lagrange, showing some angularity and austerity to the tannins but at the same time it is bright with clarity of direction, firm and concentrated fruits and juicy on the finish. A little subdued, but this is a quality Lagrange with extremely carefully placed fine tannins and fruit - it shows the essence of St-Julien balance, and one that will not need the full 10 years to come around. 50% less volume than usual. Tasted twice.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2042
