Lagrange
About Château Lagrange
A well-loved Saint-Julien producer with a loyal following among Bordeaux collectors, Château Lagrange was first known as Maison Noble de Lagrange Monteil and was owned by Baron de Brane during the 18th century. The Baron, who also owned , Château Brane-Cantenac and Brane-Mouton (the Château Mouton Rothschild that we know of today), bottled wines of Château Lagrange as Baron Saint-Julien. The estate changed hands numerous times over the years and saw its first break under the ownership of Count Duchatel, who installed a drainage system in the vineyard in 1842 – a seemingly trivial detail today that was extremely innovative during its time and brought an immediate improvement in quality to its wines. Despite this, the estate struggled to remain profitable and was forced to reduce its acreage over the decades, selling portions of its massive 280-hectare vineyard to other estates such as Château Ducru-Beaucaillou and Château Gloria. Classified in 1855 as a third-growth estate, Château Lagrange often flies under the radar and for many years has been undervalued and underrated despite its excellent vineyards and grand vin. Eventually acquired by Suntory in 1983, who wasted no time flexing in its financial might to make sweeping improvements to the entire estate, Château Lagrange has been consistently receiving impressive scores from the world's leading wine critics. The enhancements are starting to pay off and Château Lagrange is yielding impressive results from their efforts, allowing the wines to offer excellent value alongside increasing quality.Viniculture
Château Lagrange has one of the largest single vineyards among all of the classified estates in the Médoc, around 280 acres (110 ha), which typically produces 23,000 cases per year. A high proportion of their vineyard is mostly planted with the obvious choice for the region, cabernet sauvignon, with vines averaging 30 years of age. Finally, the rest of the vineyard is made up of around 28% merlot, and 7% petit verdot.
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$182.00 -
(12x75cl) 2000Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2000 Lagrange is deep in color and sports a bouquet very similar to the bottle poured at the vertical, resplendent with blackberry, pencil box and a discreet ash scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and maybe less brutish than the previous bottle, displaying more cohesion and less austerity on the finish. This is delightful and the best example that I have encountered.$1,335.00 -
(6x150cl) 2002Wine Spectator (92)
Pretty aromas of blackberries and currants, with hints of lead pencil. Full-bodied, yet very balanced, with a solid core of fruit and ultrafine tannins. Really well-crafted wine. Lagrange often excels in less than easy vintages, like 2002. Excellent. Best after 2008. -JS$788.00 -
Wine Spectator (92-94)
Beautiful aromas of plums, violets, berries and licorice. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Very pretty indeed. Well-crafted, showing lots of character. Score range: 92-94$768.60 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
94-96 Barrel sample. Big tannins here, but balanced and equaled by very ripe, immensely black fruit. Acidity playsa good counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit.$97.00 -
(1x75cl) 2006Wine Advocate (93)
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. I awarded the 2006 Château Lagrange a very high score when I tasted it from barrel. It does nothing to dispel my optismism in bottle after ten years. It has a lively, quite vivacious bouquet with blackberry, briary, cedar and violet scents, almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine grip in the mouth. The acidity here is well judged, extremely well focused with impressive weight and structure on the finish, backed up by that tobacco-stained fruit. You cannot go wrong with Lagrange in this vintage. Tasted January 2016.$106.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Finessed, displaying St Julien balance, even a little reserved at first, but studded with oyster shell salinity, firm cassis and blackcurrant fruits, cocoa bean and liquorice. Great quality, impressive depth through the mid palate, a wine for sharing that will make your friends extremely happy. Plenty of appellation typicity, with a juicy finish, this is a buy. 42hl/h yield, 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.$1,085.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Loads of tension and form. It can be cellared for decades, but it’s balanced and beautiful already. Lots of blueberry, licorice and blackberry character. Try in 2018.$1,045.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2014 Lagrange was picked from 25 September until 17 October. It has an impressive bouquet with ample red cherry, cranberry and crushed strawberry fruit mixed with sage and cedar, good vigour and gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and plenty of freshness thanks to that silver bead of acidity. This is a vivid and vivacious Lagrange, one of the most charming and pretty in recent years. Superb. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate.$752.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2015 Lagrange has a lovely, very finely delineated bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light violet scents that err toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit. This is one of the few with finely chiselled tannins, dovetailing into a marine-tinged finish that is a joy. The 2015 is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.$872.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2015 Lagrange has a lovely, very finely delineated bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light violet scents that err toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit. This is one of the few with finely chiselled tannins, dovetailing into a marine-tinged finish that is a joy. The 2015 is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.$926.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.$639.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.$500.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.$341.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A 2017 with serious depth of fruit and firm tannins. Solid center palate. Fresh and long finish. Should come out nicely.$455.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A 2017 with serious depth of fruit and firm tannins. Solid center palate. Fresh and long finish. Should come out nicely.$280.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.$536.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.$169.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.$274.00 -
(12x75cl) 2019Decanter (96)
Lovely deep red pink rim to the glass. Such freshness and floral lift on the nose, smells lively and welcoming with a cool blue fruit touch to the aromas alongside faint hints of liquorice. Amazing texture and mouthfeel - filling with a good density of chalky and textured tannins underpinning creamy red fruits with a juicy acidity that is so succulent and mouthwatering. Just giving everything - abundant, generous lively fruit, creamy velvet-textured tannins, bright acidity and gorgeous Cabernet aspects. Round and complete, excellent winemaking on show.$594.00 -
(3x300cl) 2019Decanter (96)
Lovely deep red pink rim to the glass. Such freshness and floral lift on the nose, smells lively and welcoming with a cool blue fruit touch to the aromas alongside faint hints of liquorice. Amazing texture and mouthfeel - filling with a good density of chalky and textured tannins underpinning creamy red fruits with a juicy acidity that is so succulent and mouthwatering. Just giving everything - abundant, generous lively fruit, creamy velvet-textured tannins, bright acidity and gorgeous Cabernet aspects. Round and complete, excellent winemaking on show.$599.00 -
(6x150cl) 2019Decanter (96)
Lovely deep red pink rim to the glass. Such freshness and floral lift on the nose, smells lively and welcoming with a cool blue fruit touch to the aromas alongside faint hints of liquorice. Amazing texture and mouthfeel - filling with a good density of chalky and textured tannins underpinning creamy red fruits with a juicy acidity that is so succulent and mouthwatering. Just giving everything - abundant, generous lively fruit, creamy velvet-textured tannins, bright acidity and gorgeous Cabernet aspects. Round and complete, excellent winemaking on show.$545.00 -
Decanter (96)
Lovely deep red pink rim to the glass. Such freshness and floral lift on the nose, smells lively and welcoming with a cool blue fruit touch to the aromas alongside faint hints of liquorice. Amazing texture and mouthfeel - filling with a good density of chalky and textured tannins underpinning creamy red fruits with a juicy acidity that is so succulent and mouthwatering. Just giving everything - abundant, generous lively fruit, creamy velvet-textured tannins, bright acidity and gorgeous Cabernet aspects. Round and complete, excellent winemaking on show.$256.00 -
(1x500cl) 2020James Suckling (95-96)
Absolutely beautiful with blackberry, walnut, crushed-stone and lavender character. It’s full-bodied and very layered with ultra fine tannins and an extremely long finish. Really well done for the vintage. Best in a long time.$496.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Absolutely beautiful with blackberry, walnut, crushed-stone and lavender character. It’s full-bodied and very layered with ultra fine tannins and an extremely long finish. Really well done for the vintage. Best in a long time.$500.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Absolutely beautiful with blackberry, walnut, crushed-stone and lavender character. It’s full-bodied and very layered with ultra fine tannins and an extremely long finish. Really well done for the vintage. Best in a long time.$256.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Showing better from bottle than barrels, the 2021 Château Lagrange has a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with a gorgeous nose of blackcurrants, violets, chalky minerality, and graphite. It's rich, medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's a seriously impressive, layered, concentrated 2021 with tons to love. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 50% new barrels. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.$397.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Showing better from bottle than barrels, the 2021 Château Lagrange has a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with a gorgeous nose of blackcurrants, violets, chalky minerality, and graphite. It's rich, medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's a seriously impressive, layered, concentrated 2021 with tons to love. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 50% new barrels. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.$274.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Showing better from bottle than barrels, the 2021 Château Lagrange has a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with a gorgeous nose of blackcurrants, violets, chalky minerality, and graphite. It's rich, medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's a seriously impressive, layered, concentrated 2021 with tons to love. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 50% new barrels. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.$226.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)
Continuing a run of exceptional vintages where everything seems to be going right at this property. High Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, and it comes across in the sleek black fruits and peony character, very much floral and finessed. Good stuff, this is impressive, enjoyable, very St Julien and very good. 50% new oak for ageing, Eric Boissenot consultant, Mathieu Bordes director since 2013.$245.00

