2022, Château Lagrange, SAINT-JULIEN, 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot.

This 3rd growth château is the largest of all the classed growths with 117 hectares of vines. Top quality Saint Julien has been produced here since the late 1980s when it was bought by the Suntory group of Japan. The 2022 is stongly Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with 12% Merlot and only 2% Petit Verdot.

The 2022 Lagrange is brilliant, ranking alongside the 2020, 2019 and 2016 as one of this over-performing estate's finest recent vintages. Revealing aromas of dark cherries, cassis, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a deep core of fruit, beautifully refined but youthfully assertive tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. 94-96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

A Lagrange with real depth and restraint, feels so pefectly Left Bank, really impressive, a wine that shows the true possibilities of the vintage. There is a build up of tannins through the palate, but also a juiciness and a gorgeous cassis, bilberry and fresh cherry pit seduction, with huge confidence and clear ageing potential. 96 Jane Anson, Decanter.

The 2022 Lagrange has an almost clinical bouquet, with very well defined blackberry and blueberry fruit, graphite and crushed stone. The palate is extremely pure with cashmere tannins, black cherry fruit infused by blood orange, lightly spiced, hints of white pepper toward a very concentrated, fine-boned finish. This will require several years in bottle, but it will be worth waiting for. A serious and very able Lagrange that should not be under-estimated. 95-97 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Solid Lagrange with blueberry and blackberry character. Medium body and a tannin structure that unfolds at the finish. Very well done. 94-95 James Suckling.

Drinking Window: 2029 - 2055