| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A balanced, refined 2011 with very polished tannins and pretty fruit. Medium to full body with shaved-milk-chocolate and currant character. Give it three or four year to soften. Better in 2017
A 'shadow vintage' that gets overpowered by 2009 and 2010 in terms of its public image, the 2011 Lagrange remained austere and reserved for a good 6 or 7 years after bottling, but it has softened at this point and is beginning to fly. Real finesse, balance, deliicacy and St Julien signature, making your mouth water with its raspberry and loganberry fruits, softened by tobacco, cool ash and white pepper spice. 43% 1st wine, 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.
The 2011 Lagrange has a bold, quite minty bouquet with outgoing black fruit, touches of camphor emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, fleshy, maybe a little over-extracted, and it just needs more tension and energy towards the finish. Pleasant, but difficult to see how this will evolve and frankly I have encountered better examples. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. 2022 - 2032
This Chateau 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 1980's 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. Under the assured direction of Bruno Eynard, quality remains high. The 2011 is made from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. A sweet vanilla nose here. Bright, attractive, chewy black fruit on the palate. Plenty of depth, this is a proper St Julien that will age well but could be approached when young.
Black berry and cassis dominate the nose which has got sweetness and fair depth. The mid palate is firmer the black fruits underpinned by tannins which tend to tighten the middle and hold back some of the flavours. Right at the back there is a sweeter feel but the finish has got a brambly freshness.
Good depth of blackcurrant fruit, quite open style, but will gain complexity. Drink 2015-2024.
The Chateau Lagrange 2011 is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot (the highest percentage of the latter since 2007.) In 2011, there were just four treatments in the vineyard compared to 12 in 2000. It has a deep purple colour. It has a very pure bouquet with blackberry, cassis, limestone and a touch of Margaux-like violets. It certainly has fine delineation. The palate is pure with silky smooth tannins, fine acidity and an almost Burgundy-like texture. This is a very accomplished Lagrange although I would like to see more personality. It shows good weight on the tensile finish however and is an accomplished Saint Julien. Tasted April 2012.
