| 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 2022 is stongly Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with 12% Merlot and only 2% Petit Verdot.
The 2022 Lagrange is brilliant, ranking alongside the 2020, 2019 and 2016 as one of this over-performing estate's finest recent vintages. Revealing aromas of dark cherries, cassis, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a deep core of fruit, beautifully refined but youthfully assertive tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot with a very healthy pH of 3.63.
The 2022 Lagrange was picked between 8 and 30 September, it ages in 60% new oak for a planned 21 months. It has an almost clinical bouquet, with very well defined blackberry and blueberry fruit, graphite and crushed stone. Quite a gap in quality between this and the Fiefs de Lagrange this year. The palate is extremely pure with cashmere tannins, black cherry fruit infused by blood orange, lightly spiced, hints of white pepper toward a very concentrated, fine-boned finish. This will require several years in bottle, but it will be worth waiting for. A serious and very able Lagrange that should not be under-estimated. 2029-2055
Deep ruby-purple in the glass. Juicy, steeped fruit on the nose with a laden ripeness and natural sweetness. Silky on entry with plush black fruit. Plush and toasty, with smoky, supple black fruit coating the palate. There is a grip on the back end from fruit and wood tannin, lifting and refreshing the mouthfeel. Tangy, with notes of iron and wood smoke, this is toasty on the finish.
Solid Lagrange with blueberry and blackberry character. Medium body and a tannin structure that unfolds at the finish. Very well done.
The 2022 Lagrange is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts forth with bombastic notions of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, and redcurrant jelly, leading to alluring nuances of cinnamon stick, clove oil, star anise, and violets. The medium-bodied palate is densely laden with black fruit and baking spices layers, supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and opulent. 40% of the year's production went into the first wine and yields were 34 hl/ha. pH 3.53.
A Lagrange with real depth and restaint, feels so pefectly Left Bank, really impresive, a wine that shows the true possibilities of the vintage. There is a build up of tannins through the palate, but also a juiciness and a gorgeous cassis, bilberry and fresh cherry pit seduction, with huge confidence and clear ageing potential.
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Dark fruit with a strong Cabernet-cassis profile. Layered and firm on the palate but fresh and digeste as well. Builds to a long, persistent finish. Linear and direct. Ageing potential. (JL)
Drink 2030– 2045
