2020, Château Lagrange, AOC POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: 100% Merlot.

The 2020 Lagrange (Pomerol) is soft, supple and easygoing, just as it was from barrel. Bright red-toned fruit, flowers, cinnamon and blood orange are nicely lifted. This mid-weight Pomerol is not super complex, but is wonderfully delicious and charming, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Lagrange is another terrific, under the radar wine in 2020. 90 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The depth of Pomerol comes through, bitter chocolate shavings give attractive focus and there is a touch of gourmet spice with rosemary and cracked black pepper. I like this, the tannins close in and shut down the exuberance through the mid palate, things are closed in right now but it will power ahead over the next few years. 91 Jane Anson, Decanter.

A bit reticent on the nose which is softly floral and black fruited with roses and violets. Supple and clean, this has a nice directness to it. Has weight and density, almost a chew but keeps the focus, the tannins are fine, so well integrated but they do provide support to the fruit and give the frame. It's an easy wine, lots to like. Feels quite hot, the fruit has a ripeness, a plum and fig tone, with some wood elements on show in the slight cinnamon, clove and liquorice edges. The alcohol is maybe covering up some of the detail and the overall expansion is a bit restricted, but this is a refined style. Needs time. 91 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

The 2020 Lagrange (Pomerol) wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, cherries, loamy soil and new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and fleshy palate with a gourmand core of fruit framed by powder tannins that assert themselves on the finish. 91 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

Opaque purple-black coloured, the 2020 Lagrange (Pomerol) slides effortlessly out of the glass with upfront notes of baked black plums, boysenberries and spiced blackberries, plus nuances of bouquet garni, forest floor and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with soft-textured, juicy black fruits and lovely spicy accents, delivering just enough freshness to lift the long, savoury finish. 91-93 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate.

Drinking Window: 2024 - 2035