Chateau Lagrange Saint Julien 3eme Growth Grand Cru Classe《 Terroir Collection 》

Region : Saint Julien

Website : https://chateau-lagrange.com/en/vieux-millesimes-lagrange/

Consultant: Eric Boissenot 

📜 Multiple vintages:2005 & 2015

⭐Third Growth Grand Cru Classe

Vintage 2005(TF612A)

Grapes : 46% Cabernet Sauvignon，45% Merlot，9% Petit Verdot

Alcohol : 13% vol

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 94 pts

🏅 James Suckling 96 pts

🏅 Wine Spectator 93 pts

🏅 Vinous 93 pts

Vintage 2015(TF612B)

Grapes : 75% Cabernet Sauvignon，17% Merlot，8% Petit Verdot

Alcohol : 13.5% vol

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 95 pts

🏅 James Suckling 94 pts

🏅 Vinous 94 pts

🏅 Wine Advocate 93 pts

🏅 Decanter 93 pts

History

Middle Ages

A unique place ever destined for wine growing

A place of great agricultural activity even back in Gallo-Roman times : from the Gallo-Roman VILLA RUSTICA to the « GRANGIA » in the Middle Ages which was to give the estate its name. 

Lagrange discovers an early winegrowing vocation thanks to the Templars who join together two domains :

– The « maison noble de Lagrange de Monteil » to the West joins the « Tenure of Pellecalhus » (meaning « peeled stone ») to the East. In the present-day vineyard, the names of two vine plots bear witness to this era, « l’Hopital » and « La Chapelle »;

– Lagrange becomes the largest wine producing estate in the Medoc. But the history of the different owners cannot be reconstructed until after 1631.

Golden Age

The 18th century brings renown to Lagrange Baron de Brane, a Bordeaux parliament member, and owner of Mouton, acquires the property and its renown thus becomes more widespread. In 1790, Jean-Valere Cabarrus, an influential merchant known to be very active in the shipping business, invests in the property and establishes his own sales network. In 1820, he commissions Visconti to build the Tuscan-style tower that is to become the emblem of Chateau Lagrange. From Jefferson to Duchatel, the story of a classification. During a trip to Bordeaux In 1785, Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United States, judges Lagrange second among the Third Classified Growths. In 1855, Lagrange ranks among Third Classified Growths. This is thanks to the work of Count Duchatel, owner from 1842 to 1874. In 1842, Count Charles Tenneguy Duchatel and the Countess bring change to Lagrange :

– Innovation with a pottery drainage pipe factory.

– Chateau Lagrange now stretches over 300 hectares of which 120 are under vine.

– The Count is a politician, Home Secretary to King Louis-Philippe.

– Passion for the arts, Member of the Academie des Beaux Arts.

Lagrange today

The Japanese group, Suntory, acquired the domain when the purchase was signed by the company president, Mr Keizo Saji, in1983.Marcel Ducasse was then recruited along with Kenji Suzuta to undertake the complete restructuring of the vineyard and a spectacular renovation of the whole estate. This first step was to mark the rebirth of CHATEAU LAGRANGE.After twenty years of dedicated work, as well as human and technical investments, Lagrange had once again found recognition amidst its peers and had achieved a certain sense of fulfilment. Today a new tandem, Matthieu Bordes and Keiichi Shiina, have taken over this quest for excellence. A second phase of investments began with the 2008 vintage, offering Lagrange the technical means to follow its ambitions: The production of refined, elegant and expressive wines, in the best Saint-Julien style. There has also been an evolution of production methods towards a greater awareness of the environment and a reduction of ecological impact on the property. This philosophy is reflected not only in the respect shown for the domain’s History, and the nurturing of its truly exceptional Terroir, but also in the unique experiences shared all over the world around a glass of one of Lagrange’s wines.

VINEYARD

Soils

Located entirely within the appellation of Saint-Julien, our vineyard stretches in a single block over two North-South rises of Gunzian gravelly soil. In parts large and coarse and in others finer, this gravel is combined with sand or iron-rich clay depending on the plot. With an altitude of 24 metres, the centre of the domain marks the highest point of Saint-Julien. The estate covers 182 hectares (450 acres), of which 118 hectares (292 acres) are under vine. Most of the plots benefit from a drainage system.

Grape Varieties

The Medoc is undoubtedly where the Cabernet Sauvignon best expresses its character. When this grape variety is planted in our deep gravelly soils, it constitutes the very backbone of our wines and ensures their ageing potential. The greatest of our vineyard’s terroirs are reserved for this elite grape, which covers 67% of the estate. As for the Merlot, this earlier variety does exceedingly well on our cooler soils, making up 28% of the vineyard. Then for the final touch, the complexity of our wines is heightened by the 5% of Petit Verdot planted on our most prestigious soils. Our white wine vineyard covers 7.5 hectares (19 acres) and is planted with Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Sauvignon Gris (20%) and Semillon (20%).

Vine-care

The viticultural methods are chosen to respect Tradition whilst aiming for Perfection. From the choice of the varietals and rootstocks best suited to Lagrange’s soils, to the myriad minutious vine-care tasks carried out through the year, everything concurs to maintain the most regular and eco-friendly production possible. High density of plantation, rigorous pruning, de-leafing, thinning out in July and traditional ploughing all contribute to ensure the grapes produced are rich and concentrated. The traditional hand picking allows us to sort the bunches and ensure that only the best of them arrive whole and healthy at the vat cellar.

VINIFICATION

FROM THE VINEYARD TO THE CELLAR

From the vineyard to the cellar A subtle blend of tradition and modernity : these notions come together at harvest-time. The harvest is firstly handpicked into individual crates and then sorted both manually and by an optical sorting machine. Here we see Technology at the service of Excellence. Traditional Bordeaux vinification is carried out in 92 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats of varying capacities, thus allowing a separate vinification to respect the character of each plot and soil-type, each terroir. Placing all or part of a given plot into its own vat means we are able to harvest it at optimum ripeness. This level of precision ensures the perfect quality of fruit necessary for the production of exceptional wines.The total vatting time, established by tasting, varies from 16 to 28 days, depending on the tannic development in the fermenting wines.

The temperature of fermentation never exceeds 28°C to guarantee preservation of the finesse and fruitiness.

The selection of press wine is performed “barrel by barrel“ allowing a wider choice range during the blend tastings.

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Blending and Ageing

Following consultation with our oenologist, Eric BOISSENOT, the wines are blended only a few months after harvest, to achieve a better harmonisation of the tannins and plot origins. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, of which 60% are renewed each year. They are racked in the age-old way every 3 months. During this essential 20-month maturation period, the cellar is maintained at 15°C and the ambient humidity is carefully controlled so that the qualities of each vintage may be exalted.

Vintage 2005(TF612A)

🏅 James Suckling 96 pts

Stunning now. A fabulous nose of currants, crushed raspberry and blackberry. Full- bodied, with perfectly integrated tannins and a long, caressing finish.

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 94 pts

The tannins dominate this dark, brooding wine. At this stage, it seems to have closed up, leaving the fruit and acidity buried. But with this concentration, the future looks promising. There is a long aging potential here.

🏅 Vinous 93 pts

The 2005 Lagrange was picked from 21 September until 10 October. It has a harmonious and vigorous bouquet with blackberry, cedar, tobacco aromas and just a light estuarine scent that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins and much more mid-palate presence than prior vintages. There is more body and grip, a sense of boldness towards the finish that should stand it in good stead for long-term ageing. Superb.

🏅 Wine Spectator 93 pts

Currant, mineral, plum and light toasty oak follow through to a full body, with ultrasilky tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is thoroughly beautiful. Super balanced and very pretty.

Vintage 2015(TF612B)

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 95 pts

One of the furthest west of the St-Julien estates, this property has been greatly improved with investment from Japanese owner Suntory. The wine from 2015 is dense and impressively concentrated, perfumed black-currant fruits working well with the crisp acidityand solid structure. 

🏅 James Suckling 94 pts

Anyone who thinks that modern Bordeaux has become too soft or easy should taste this seriously tannic yet sleek and vibrant wine. So much drive and energy that the weak of heart should better stand back. Better from 2020 and has a couple of decades of ageing potential.

🏅 Vinous 94 pts

The 2015 Lagrange was picked from 21 September until 12 October. This has improved since its last showing a fewmonths ago. The nose still needs more vigour, but the palate is fleshy and velvety in texture with superb harmonyon the finish. lt continues to meliorate so afford this young Lagrange another three or four years in bottle. Tastecat the Lagrange vertical at the estate.

🏅 Wine Advocate 93 pts

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Lagrange gives up fragrant notes of chocolate-covered cherries, cassis and blackberry pie with touches of violets, forest floor, truffles and cigar box. Medium-bodied with plenty of intense black fruit and firm, grainy tannins, it has a racy line and long, mineral-laced finish.

🏅 Decanter 93 pts

Deep, rich, taut and tightly drawn, this is a big wine that demands attention and displays some real St-Julien balance. Excellent aromatics, although it's just a little short on the finish compared to the brilliant 2016 at this estate. Much to enjoy here. 55% new oak.