Chateau Lagrange 2021

Wine Advocate: "Representing only 39% of the estate's production, the 2021 Lagrange is very promising indeed, mingling aromas of wild berries and blackcurrants with notions of loamy soils, pencil shavings and violets. Medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless, with fine depth at the core, powdery tannins and lively acids, it saw a cool vinification and contains a record 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, much of which was picked late, between the seventh and 12th of October. It's a brilliant effort from Matthieu Bordes and his team. Tasted five times, twice at the estate."

Galloni: "The 2021 Lagrange has a ton of potential. Bright Cabernet inflections lead into a core of red/purplish fruit. This mid-weight, gracious Saint-Julien is all class, all the way. Layered and super-expressive, Lagrange is a winner in 2021."

Decanter: "Super-floral on the nose, a celebration of peony, violet and rose flowers. Juicy and supple with a real life-force. The starts off bright and upfront with strawberry and red cherry notes that merge into a darker, more savoury mid-palate full of slate and chocolate. I like the persistence here, the clarity of the fruit expression and the brightness. It's not the most expansive but the individual elements are so well presented with detail on show. A great effort in the vintage with no drop in the mid-palate, acidity in check and nice floral fruit."

Suckling: "A firm and silky red with medium body, fresh acidity and an orange-peel and berry aftertaste. Refined and bright."

Falstaff: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische Kirschen, Brombeerkonfit, feine Edelholznuancen, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Mittlerer Körper, rote Kirschen, feine Tannine, mineralisch und gut anhaftend, feiner Begleiter bei Tisch."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Lagrange was picked from 12 September to 12 October at just 30hL/ha and matured in 60% new oak. The Grand Vin represents 39% of the crop. It offers light red berry fruit on the nose, with a touch of mint developing over time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, wellbalanced, not a powerful Saint-Julien but it conveys a sense of finesse. Drink this over the next 12-15 years."

Wine Cellar Insider: "Blackberries, cedar, tobacco, spice, and savory herbs on the nose bring you to a soft-textured, supple, round, forward, classical wine with a creamy-textured, dusty, peppery, crunchy, red currant-packed finish. The wine is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. It is interesting to note that this is the highest percentage of Cabernet used in the blend in the history of the estate. 13% ABV. Yields were low at only 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2025-2045."

Dunnuck: "The Grand Vin 2021 Château Lagrange is clearly a step up, offering a deeper, richer style that stays firmly planted in the fresher, more elegant style of the vintage. Based on 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, representing a selection of just 39% of the total production, it has terrific mid-palate density as well as classic notes of cassis, darker plums, chocolate, and integrated oak. It's beautifully done and should easily be an outstanding wine that will benefit from just a handful of years in the cellar."