Chateau Lagrange Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classe) 2012

The history of Château Lagrange began with Mr Jean Valère Cabarrus, who bought the estate in 1796 and extended it before selling it in 1825. 

The estate then went through some difficult times (war, viticultural crises and economic recession) and had numerous successive owners. 

Since its acquisition in 1983 by the Japanese group Suntory and its management by Mr Marcel Ducasse, priority has been given to upgrading the vineyard and modernising its facilities. All this has helped make Château Lagrange one of the top wines of Saint-Julien.

Completely situated in the village of Saint­Julien, the vineyard of Chateau Lagrange represents 118 hectares in red vines, spread over two hills with the slopes directed towards the North and the South, in one block. The subsoil is of clay and limestone and the topsoil is of pebbles and gravel. The climate is temperate and oceanic. 

2017 was early and contrasted. The total rainfall is lower than the average of the last twenty years. The month of April was particularly dry. The cool nights culminated in severe frost on the 27th April. Spring was warm with average rainfall. Flowering occurred early, quickly and in ideal conditions. The summer was warm and dry until September 8th. A tremendous work carried out to mark 250 000 vine stocks during colour change made the intra­plot selection process easier at harvest ­time.

The nose is elegant, fine, racy and offers power. It reveals notes of cassis cream, blackberry and hints of blueberry associated with slight notes of crushed strawberry, chocolate, spices as well as discreet hints of gray pepper and hints of flowers. The palate is fruity, elegant, fine, aerial, silky and offers an acid frame, a very beautiful finesse, a beautiful minerality as well as tension. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of blackberry cream, cassis and slight notes of raspberry associated with touch of licorice, woody touches as well as discreet hints of chocolate. Good length and persistence.

Age of the vine: 39 years 

Ageing potential: 30 years

Award:

94 Wine Enthusiast

89 Jeff Leve

85 Tim Atkin

VIVINO 3.9