Château Lagrange makes a fresh and complex red wine from Saint-Julien
The estate
In the Médoc, Château Lagrange is one of the iconic references in the Saint-Julien appellation. The property boasts ancient origins dating back to Gallo-Roman times, when the estate housed the "Villa Rustica". It was back then that the Order of the Templars first began producing wine at the property. Château Lagrange experienced a real golden age in the 18th century and earned the title of 3rd Classified Growth in the Official Classification of 1855. It was in 1983 that Château Lagrange was acquired by the Japanese group Suntory and its president Keizo Saji. Following a major renovation and investment project carried out by the dynamic new team, Château Lagrange has become one of the top producers of the Médoc region.
The vineyard
Château Lagrange produces Saint-Julien wines from a 118-hectare vineyard, all in one piece. The vineyard enjoys a superb location on two gravelly hills. The vines are 45 years old on average and are planted in silica-gravelly soils with a clay-limestone subsoil. The vineyard enjoys a temperate climate with an oceanic influence.
The vintage
A year of contrasting climates, 2011 stands out due to its hot, dry conditions which were offset by a relatively rainy summer. The harvest was among the earliest of the last 30 years.
The blend
Cabernet Sauvignon (62%)
Merlot (32%)
Petit Verdot (6%)
Château Lagrange 2011: Characteristics and tasting tips
The tasting
This wine exudes an alluringly rich aromatic palette as well as fine and elegant tannins.
Slightly pinched and compact, the 2011 Lagrange exhibits a healthy dark ruby/plum color as well as notes of vanillin, black cherries and red fruits, but it is somewhat one-dimensional and straightforward. Solidly made, but not as expressive as some of its peers, it will benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and should keep for 10-12 thereafter.