Château Lagrange – Other vintages

Lagrange_2016

THE VINTAGE

The rainy spring weather encouraged the budburst although we cannot say this was an early vintage. The flowering took place the driest week of the spring. 2016 was one of the hottest and driest summers ever! The harvest was late and long.

 

TASTING NOTE

Dark and deep with purple tint. Blackcherry, blackcurrant, liquorice and black pepper on the nose. Full­bodied, freshness with menthol, round, powerful and long finish. Enjoyable already, this exceptional 2016 is able to age a long time due to its silky tannins. A great and well balanced 2016 Lagrange: nice harmony with classicism and modernity.

REVIEWS

Neal Martin 94 – 96

“It certainly is one of the most expressive Lagrange that I have tasted […] This is a great Lagrange.”

Jane Anson 95

“No doubt this is a fantastic Lagrange, to be savored.”

Michel Bettane 95 – 96

“Puissant, très sérieusement construit.”

Frederic Durand Bazin 18,5

“Belle matière, superbe allonge.”

Lagrange_2015

THE VINTAGE

The dry, mild spring weather encouraged the budburst although we cannot say this was an early vintage. The flowering and colour change took place in excellent conditions, around the average dates recorded on the property.

 

TASTING NOTE

Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Aromatic nose with elegant character, dark berries, discreet oak spices and very fine toasted aromas. On the palate full­bodied yet elegant, ripe tannins with velvety character, with a long and fruity finish carried by the bold Cabernet Sauvignon. A powerful and well balanced wine.

REVIEWS

James Suckling 94

“Anyone who thinks that modern Bordeaux has become too soft or easy should taste this seriously tannic yet sleek and vibrant wine.”

Jane Anson 93

“Excellent aromatics […] This is a big wine that demands attention and displays some real St-Julien balance.”

Lagrange_2014

THE VINTAGE

Early bud burst due to a mild winter, then few episodes of rains during the summer, despite a sunny last fortnight of July. A miraculous Indian summer from September to October. Bringing with it a hot and dry period with only 7mm of rain over 40 days.

 

TASTING NOTE

The color is dark with purple hues. Intense fruity aromas such as black cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry mingle with fine woody notes. Very delicate and elegant, the attack is supple and fleshy with a long finish carried by the bold Cabernet Sauvignon. A wine that is complete, complex and harmonious

Lagrange_2013

THE VINTAGE 

A cold and wet winter followed by a cool and rainy spring which induced coulure in the Merlot. The summer conditions were among the best in 15 years, with July being a hot month and August being a dry month. Summer therefore accelerated the ripening phenomena and the deterioration of the plants aromatic compounds.

 

TASTING NOTE

Ruby in color, the nose is very gourmande. Note the cherry and sour drops, the barrel aging is fully mastered and fits in well with this elegant vintage. The attack is supple and round with a certain tension. The acidity level reinforces the impression of freshness. Very harmonious and well balanced; featuring the elegance found in great Saint Julien wines.

Lagrange_2012

THE VINTAGE

A complex climate characterized by cold in February, dryness in February, March, August, September, and by heavy rains in April, June and October.

 

TASTING NOTE

Dark red with tangy notes of cassis and black cherry, the nose is very expressive. The palate is silky, smooth, almost creamy. A very harmonious and balanced wine that impresses with the characteristic elegance of the vintage.

Lagrange_2011

THE VINTAGE

Unusual climate with April and May exceptionally hot and dry. June, July and August are more “oceanic” with an alternative of very hot and rainy weather. September is moderate like in the last years.

 

TASTING NOTE

Much more accessible than the 2010 vintage, Lagrange 2011 presents notes of blackcurrant and slightly peppered cherry. The woody notes are perfectly integrated with a dominant mocha and caramel taste. Fleshy in the attack, with an interesting acidity that gives it a tight tannic structure. Long in the finish, it is an approachable wine for the near future but has potential for remarkable ageing.

Lagrange_2010

THE VINTAGE

An unusual combination of dryness and cold. An outstanding sunshine from May to the end of October. The growth cycle slows down over the last weeks due to the drought which leads us to a late picking. A vintage marked by an outstanding concentration of tannins of extreme fineness.

 

TASTING NOTE

Deep and intense colour. On the nose a sensation of freshness, with red and black fruits aromas, as well as toasted and vanilla notes. The attack is very firm, the mouthfeel gains strength with an exceptional tannic richness. Powerful, smooth and harmonious tannins.

Lagrange_2009

THE VINTAGE

Surprisingly, 2009 is not a very hot year (nowhere near the heat­wave of 2003), nor is it a very dry one such as 2002 or 2005. However, the arrival of rainfall and warmth corresponded perfectly to the vine’s needs during its growth cycle. Very good climatic conditions during the months of August, September and October. The last 10 days of September and the first of October were even the best of the year.

 

TASTING NOTE

Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant and liquorice on the nose, powerful and racy tannins like we are expecting at Saint Julien. Magnificent richness of texture, harmonious with cedar and truffles, a perfect balance for this wine which has one of the largest window of tasting ever !

Lagrange_2008

THE VINTAGE

The month of July is hot and dry, but never over­hot. Cool temperatures and rainfall come back again in August. The Bordeaux miracle happens again from September 15th onwards. The hot days speed up thus ripening, drying the bunches. The nights are cool, finishing off the ripening of the poly­phenols. First use of the small tanks introduced earlier this year.

 

TASTING NOTE

Notes of iodine and violets emerging with time. Sensation of freshness and purity of aromas on the nose. The palate is medium­bodied with firm, flesh and ripe tannins, well balanced. It opens up in the glass but these tannins will take few more years to get integrated.

Lagrange_2007

THE VINTAGE

The vintage 2007 is affected by a cool summer with important rainfalls in the spring. The sun shines again in September allowing the grapes to mature.

 

TASTING NOTE

Bright slightly brick­coloured robe, still surprisingly young. The nose is complex, offering smoky notes, graphite, liquorice, blackcurrant and menthol. The palate boasts a frank, lively attack and perfectly integrated tannins. This bottle demonstrates the elegance of Lagrange wines, showing how the quality of our terroir goes far beyond the notion of vintage. This wine is at its peak today but will continue to age well for many years to come.
Tasting note : May 2020

Lagrange_2006

TASTING NOTE

The colour is rich and deep with purple red nuances. The nose is dominated by fresh red fruits with no over ripeness and by toasty notes. The fresh fruit, with a zest of citrus, coats the wood and liquorice aromas. In the palate, the entry is well­structured and ample; the development remains virile, very generous and remarkably powerful ; the very long finish offers sweetness without tanic harshness. It’s a typical vintage of the Médoc marrying concentrated elegance and unctuosity whilst preserving the freshness brought by the great cabs.

Lagrange_2005

THE VINTAGE

We can summarise the weather conditions of the 2005 vintage in three words: drought,sunshine and thermal amplitude. This is a superlatives year. 2005 vintage will remain in the memories with exceptional climatic conditions.

 

TASTING NOTE

Dark colour with ruby highlights for this great vintage with astonishing youth. The nose has truffled aromas giving way to more fruity notes: cherry, black cherry, licorice and cedar notes. Evolution shows menthol notes. The attack is rich and vibrant. The mid­palate is suave with a pleasant freshness, the whole presents a harmony and a rare elegance worthy of the greatest wines of Saint Julien