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.-
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.Inc. VAT£360.64 -
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.Inc. VAT£531.64 -
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.Inc. VAT£480.04 -
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.Inc. VAT£307.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£295.24 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Lagrange has a ton of potential. Bright Cabernet inflections lead into a core of red/purplish fruit. This mid-weight, gracious Saint-Julien is all class, all the way. Layered and super-expressive, Lagrange is a winner in 2021. Tasted two times.Inc. VAT£324.29 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
This is very much in the character of Lagrange over the past few years, showing precision and confidence in its construction, finessed and elegant, with St Julien balance and reserved power. Will absolutely deliver for fans of classical Left Bank Bordeaux with its slate tannins, savoury Cabernet black and blue fruits, fresh leaf tea, tobacco, raspberry leaf, spiced sage and lusicous mouthwatering signoff. 51hl/ha yield.Expected Price Range£189 - £225 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)
The 2020 Fiefs de Lagrange is dark, supple and super-delicious. Ripe dark cherry/plum fruit, spice, dried flowers and mocha. This racy, succulent wine is an absolute winner.Inc. VAT£309.89 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Les Fiefs de Lagrange is a terrific second wine. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2021 bristles with red/purplish fruit accented by floral, blood orange and spice top notes. The Fiefs is absolutely delicious today, and, quite frankly, irresistible.Inc. VAT£237.89
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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.In Bond£284.50 -
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.In Bond£427.00 -
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.In Bond£384.00 -
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.In Bond£240.00 -
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.In Bond£230.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Lagrange has a ton of potential. Bright Cabernet inflections lead into a core of red/purplish fruit. This mid-weight, gracious Saint-Julien is all class, all the way. Layered and super-expressive, Lagrange is a winner in 2021. Tasted two times.In Bond£251.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
This is very much in the character of Lagrange over the past few years, showing precision and confidence in its construction, finessed and elegant, with St Julien balance and reserved power. Will absolutely deliver for fans of classical Left Bank Bordeaux with its slate tannins, savoury Cabernet black and blue fruits, fresh leaf tea, tobacco, raspberry leaf, spiced sage and lusicous mouthwatering signoff. 51hl/ha yield.Expected Price Range£189 - £225 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)
The 2020 Fiefs de Lagrange is dark, supple and super-delicious. Ripe dark cherry/plum fruit, spice, dried flowers and mocha. This racy, succulent wine is an absolute winner.In Bond£239.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Les Fiefs de Lagrange is a terrific second wine. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2021 bristles with red/purplish fruit accented by floral, blood orange and spice top notes. The Fiefs is absolutely delicious today, and, quite frankly, irresistible.In Bond£179.00