| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
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. The red varieties are planted 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
The 2019 Lagrange has turned out beautifully in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries and cassis mingled with hints of loamy soil, pencil shavings and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with an ample core of lively fruit, powdery tannins and succulent acids, it's suave and seamless, concluding with a long, expansive finish. The result of an extremely rigorous selection, and incorporating fully 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the finest wine this château has produced in the modern era. Remarkably, it was released at the same price en primeur as the 2005! Drink Date 2025 - 2055
The 2019 Lagrange has an open-knit, classic Saint-Julien nose with black fruit, chimney soot, tobacco and a light sprinkling of white pepper. There is a little more earthiness here. The palate is understated and fleshy, gentle grip, more approachable than its peers, pure but without the same grip and backbone on the finish. Very seductive. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2025-2050
The 2019 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the highest ever proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 30% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin this year, the lowest proportion to date. Deep purple in colour with a sweet, seductive nose of blackberry, cassis and summer pudding. Fine, intense vanilla and cedar come through together with the fruit. Full bodied with a mouthcoating structure of ripe tannins, this is powerful and dense. The rich texture is matched by ripe cassis and damson at the core. Muscular and built to last, the fruit power drives to the finish with real energy. Powerful but well managed to make a superb wine in this vintage.
Aromas of blackcurrants, sandalwood and rose petals. Medium-to full-bodied with linear tannins that are racy and refined, yet forceful. Fine tannins at the end. Best after 2024.
The 2019 Lagrange is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out with youthful, vibrant notes of wild blueberries, black raspberries, and crushed blackcurrants, followed by hints of camphor, lilacs, and smoked meats. The medium-bodied palate (13.5% alcohol) delivers beautifully defined black fruit and perfumed layers supported by fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. It’s temptingly approachable right now, but that touch of gravitas in the subtext suggests a far greater experience to come following 5 to 7 years of cellaring patience.
Inky, glass-staining in colour, this is richly textured and intense, easily rivalling the best ever vintages at the property. Filled with creamy damson and cassis fruit, with a sense of precision and restraint to the frame, held in by fine but plentiful tannins. 30% 1st wine, highest ever Cabenet Sauvignon, 50% new oak for ageing. An exceptional wine, marking 125 years since the founding of Suntory in Japan. Eric Boissenot consultant.
Tasted blind. Rather a simple crimson colour. Introvert nose. Solid and long term, but with lots tucked in there. Ambitious with masses of fruit, as well as masses of tannin. 13.5%
Drink 2030
– 2052
The 2019 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the highest ever proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The yield was close to average at 40hl/ha, but the berry weights were the lowest seen in 36 years, indicating rich grapes in concentration, sugars and tannins. The wine will be aged in 60% new French oak for 20 months. Only 30% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin this year, the lowest proportion to date. Deep purple in colour with a rich nose of cassis and forest fruit, supported by savoury, peppery cedar notes. The palate is intense and tightly coiled, unfurling with notes of fresh blackcurrant and dark cherries. The tannins are chalky and mouthcoating but ripe, providing both freshness and structure. There is a smoky sweetness from the oak, adding a level of seduction. Despite this, the focus is the intense and driven core of black fruits - there is superb weight of fruit here. This lingers on a long, ripe yet fine finish. An excellent 2019.
While I don't think the 2019 Château Lagrange matches the 2018, it's not far off, with a more elegant yet still concentrated style. Beautiful crème de cassis, spicy oak, tobacco, chocolate, and new saddle leather notes all emerge on the nose, and it stays tight, compact, and focused on the palate, with plenty of firm tannins. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass but merits 4-6 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 20-25 years or more.
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Look at all that Cabernet in the blend! Classic graphite and cassis aromas. Deep and quite profound with layered fruit, freshness and a big but polished tannic frame. Long, firm finish. Solid and with staying power. (JL)
Drink 2027 – 2045
The 2019 Lagrange, which was picked over the longest period ever, has a compelling bouquet of beautifully defined black fruit laced with cedar and light graphite notes. The palate is smooth, fresh and vibrant, with great depth, perfectly judged acidity and a brilliantly focused finish. Winemaker Mathieu Bordes has crafted the best Lagrange in recent years, a benchmark for the estate. 2025 - 2055
The 2019 Lagrange was picked from 24 September and finished with the Petit Verdot on 14 October - the longest harvest at 27 days. It has quite a dense, powerful bouquet with black fruit, sous-bois and cedar, taking its time to open but somehow remaining more “distant” than previous vintages of Lagrange. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, layers of black fruit with just a light citric touch. Quite a streamlined Lagrange in the context of a warm growing season, this feels agile and nimble on the finish. Excellent. 2025 - 2055
A red with dark fruit and plenty of dark chocolate, as well as spice undertones. Full body. Juicy finish. Extremely balanced and refined.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Lagrange is deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with fragrant scents of roses and fallen leaves over a core of cassis, blackberry preserves, and licorice, plus a hint of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has lovely tension, with graceful red and black fruit layers and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed.
Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Lagrange charges out of the gate with bright, shiny, classic cassis, cedar chest and clove oil scents followed by hints of ripe black cherries, mulberries, spice cake and menthol. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with taut, crunchy black fruits, supported by rock-solid grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and invigorating. 2025 - 2048
Great St Julien character and finesse, this is well balanced and restrained, with juicy damson and cassis fruits, great quality. Lovely expansion through the mid palate, with cigar box spice and slate, and it hugs on at the end of the palate, stretching out the experience. Absolutely delivers on its En Primeur promise. Highest level of Cabernet in the estate's recent history, longest harvest ever from September 24 through to October 14, and only 1/3 of overall production in the 1st wine.
Dark plum in colour, medium intensity, this is sleek, well-defined and has an extremely pure expression of cassis fruit. Just enormously elegant, with tons of St Julien balance, and fine tannins that are sure to take it through the next few decades with ease. I love this wine, one of the most enjoyable of the vintage in St Julien, with a strikingly seductive texture. Tasted twice two weeks apart, sure to become a standout with some bottle age. When you look at the figures (which I only did after tasting) you start to understand why this is so good - highest level of Cabernet in the estate's recent history, longest harvest ever through to October 14, and only 1/3 of overall production in the 1st wine, lowest amount to date. Whatever they are doing, they are getting it right. Drinking Window 2027 - 2045
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot.
Dense crimson. Dried herbs on the nose. Then rich, ripe fruit with some vegy notes on the palate. Harsh, drying finish though. 13.5%
Drink 2028 – 2042
