Chateau Lagrange 2018 (Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)
Chateau Lagrange
The history of the Third Growth, Saint-Julien Lagrange estate goes back to the Middle Ages, with records showing its existence in 1631. During the 18th Century it belonged to the formidable Baron de Brane of Brane-Cantenac fame. In 1796, it was acquired by Count Jean Valère Cabarrus, Napoleon's Finance Minister in Spain. He expanded the estate by purchasing numerous vineyard plots and remained the owner until 1825.
In a slowly descending arc, Lagrange was forced to downsize progressively over the centuries as it passed through numerous hands, to pay off debt and cope with a compounding degree of neglect.
Once sitting at 280 hectares, it is, these days, a more modest 120. In 1983, the Japanese wine and spirits giant, Suntory, rode in to the rescue, investing hugely in an across-the-board renovation programme that encompassed everything from the vineyards to the cellars. With the much-needed cash injection in play, Lagrange has upped the quality of its output considerably.
SKU
LSJN201810 UCAU
$119.70
Per item
Price:
This rivals the 2016 for sure. It's closed in and tight on the nose with slightly reductive notes, but it opens up after a few minutes to reveal another good quality St-Julien. A serious wine, it has well structured walls and a moat around the cassis fruit. It's not quite at the level of 2010 but is halfway there, making you stop and think before its gentle power takes over.
- Decanter
This rivals the 2016 for sure. It's closed in and tight on the nose with slightly reductive notes, but it opens up after a few minutes to reveal another good quality St-Julien. A serious wine, it has well structured walls and a moat around the cassis fruit. It's not quite at the level of 2010 but is halfway there, making you stop and think before its gentle power takes over.
- Decanter
Scores & Reviews
93 / 100
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.
93 / 100
Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Lagrange is off the charts. Bold, plush and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2018 possesses tremendous richness and textural intensity. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, espresso, mint and licorice build in a racy, sumptuous Lagrange loaded with personality. The 2018 is one of the best recent vintages I have tasted. Tasted two times.
94 / 100
Decanter
This rivals the 2016 for sure, although the sense of gravity is perhaps just a little less effortless as it was in that incredible vintage. It's closed in and tight on the nose with slightly reductive notes, but it opens up after a few minutes to reveal another good quality St-Julien. A serious wine, it has well structured walls and a moat around the cassis fruit. It's not quite at the level of 2010 but is halfway there, making you stop and think before its gentle power takes over.