Château Lagrange, 2021

"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. Tasted two times."

"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."

"The 2021 Lagrange is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, with this grand vin representing 39% of production. Deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers pronounced notes of black cherries, redcurrant preserves, and black raspberries, plus suggestions of cracked black pepper, mossy tree bark, and licorice with a waft of tar. The light to medium-bodied palate is elegant and refreshing, featuring a light grip of grainy tannins and seamless freshness to support the red and black fruit layers, finishing on a peppery note. The pH is usually lower than this year's 3.6."

"Bright, vivid raspberry and cassis fruit, savoury and sculpted, clear cinnammon, fennel and clove spice. Not exuberant or overdone, working with the vintage and retains the St Julien feel of balance and finesse. This is the 2nd note I am publishing for this wine, as I tasted it at the château during a vertical a month ago, and this is one point higher, boding well for increased weight over ageing. Harvest September 27 through to October 12, with no Cabernet picked until October. The weight of the berries reduced by 30% in the last week before picking because the weather got so much better. 35hl/h yield, 50% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant."