Appellations

Lagrange (St Julien) 2021

St Julien, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes

Goes long on the savoury cassis bud and lemongrass sculpted minerality that captures 2021, leaning in to St Julien finesse. White pepper and fennel spice, good quality, careful and balanced rather than exuberant, with a hint of sweet fruit through the mid palate. Harvest September 27 through to October 12, with no Cabernet picked until October (a smart choice, as 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. Mathieu Bordes director. An upscore since En Primeur (although this score already given at a separate vertical).

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2042 Date: 02 April 2024

The 2021 Lagrange turned out beautifully. Succulent red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, spice and mocha infuse the 2021 with gorgeous depth. Soft, succulent and inviting, Lagrange is wonderfully appealing. It will drink well with minimal cellaring.

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2041 Date: 27 February 2024

Winemaker Matthieu Bordes was the only one to mention that he had to conduct some reverse osmosis (mainly on the Merlot) for the 2021 Lagrange. The wine was bottled last July. It has a classically styled nose, certainly not as complex as in more benevolent seasons, lighter and slightly leafier in style. The palate is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with fine tannins and a little chalkiness toward the finish. I would drink this over the next 10 to 15 years.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2038 Date: 22 February 2024

Open and aromatic with dark fruit to the fore. Palate shows good density, again with attractive fruit and a firm but ripe tannic frame. Drives on the finish. Some potential here.

Score: 16+ James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2028-2040 Date: 11 May 2022

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

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

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.

Score: 92 - 94 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

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.

Score: 90 - 92 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022