Château Lagrange Saint-Julien 2020 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Like its neighbor Gruaud-Larose, this vast, homogeneous vineyard has seen its vines age and develop an intensity unknown to great wine, while over the last three years, thanks to the efforts of its current technical team, it has refined its style. His wine is a straightforward, classic, almost mineral expression of Saint-Julien's finest soils, and he confesses an undeniable community of flavor and style with léoville-las-cases, which is no small compliment. Excellent value for money.

Decanter

About the wine:

Aromatically very expressive on the nose. Fragrant with ripe fruit and floral character. Supple and juicy, it's full of life and bounce. The tannins are sumptuous yet fleshy, giving roundness to the expression and allowing the red fruit to shine and the acidity to keep the whole in suspension. A joyful quality, so easy to love - refreshing and enjoyable. The texture and weight are excellent, with lovely medicinal edges and some salinity, refreshing touches of mint and a long finish. It's really well crafted and confidently delivered. It's lightly structured in terms of texture, more vertically layered than broad, giving it an airy freshness throughout. 2025-2040

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the domain :

It's often thanks to the will of the owner that Bordeaux châteaux manage to find their expression. Lagrange was unlucky, changing owners frequently. It wasn't until the arrival of the Japanese Suntory group in 1983 that Lagrange received the full attention it deserved: a new vineyard, a new winery and, above all, a crack team led by Marcel Ducasse - replaced in 2007 by Bruno Eynard, who had assisted him for 17 years. The new vat room is now used for even more sophisticated parcel-based vinification.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Lagrange 2020 is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2019. It offers aromas of crème de cassis and plum intermixed with notes of violets, licorice, pencil shavings and vanilla bean. It's medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep core of ripe but vibrant fruit, framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves with gentle grip on the finish. 2027-2055

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Acquired by the Japanese Suntory group in 1983, the château has rapidly established itself as a dependable and consistent name in the appellation, producing elegant, well-crafted wines that are always affordable. This vast estate is run in a serious manner, but its latest vintages, while not demeriting, have seemed a little less convincing. In a highly competitive world, with neighbors who leave no stone unturned to produce the greatest possible wines, Lagrange seems a little static, which leads us to withdraw its star.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Attractive nose of blackberry, cassis, walnut, ink and combava leaves. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and structured, with chewy, tight tannins. Dark and intense, with a long, persistent finish. Evolves into graphite and cedar. Needs time to open up and soften. Try from 2026.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

On the nose, lively, straightforward red fruit. "Come in, come in! Welcome!" he seems to be saying. Smooth and supple on the palate, soothing, it knows where to take you, right up to the gourmet finish and its delectable aftertaste.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Rather discreet, the nose takes time to open up. Then comes a lovely concentration of black and red fruits, slightly jammy (strawberry, raspberry), operating an undeniable seduction. Without exuberance, Lagrange unfurls very ripe fruit, clothed in firm tannins that will require time to mellow.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

In terms of authenticity and repetitiveness, this vintage is very strong! Year after year, Lagrange's style is acclaimed. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings out its freshness, while the Merlot smoothes out the edges. Lagrange is sapid, full-bodied and perfectly supported by creamy tannins. The acid structure provides a good backbone and highlights the aromatic expression on the finish. An expressive, persistent Lagrange with revitalizing freshness! 2026-2042

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The fragrance opens with notes of mint, cigar box, black and red currants, black cherries and tobacco leaves. And with all that, the wine is just getting started as it's even better on the palate with its multiple layers of supple, fresh, vibrant, sweet and ripe fruit, silky, elegant tannins, length and purity. Since the 2016 vintage, Lagrange has been on a roll, and 2020 could be the estate's best vintage yet. If you haven't yet tasted what they're making, you need to get yourself a bottle and uncork it! Drink between 2027 and 2055.