Château Lagrange 2014

The 2014 Lagrange has indeed pulled its socks up, as I opined when I tasted the wine from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a conservative, tertiary nose with introverted black fruit mixed with cedar and sandalwood aromas. It feels tight at the moment but there is satisfying focus here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry, though the Merlot component becomes more prominent towards the finish and offers a lovely fleshy, poised finish with a dab of black pepper on the aftertaste. Modest but stylish Lagrange, which is exactly what you expect.

A fruitcake note leads the way, followed by warm plum sauce, crushed blackberry and cassis details. A firm graphite edge holds the finish, leaving a taut feel in the end. Best from 2019 through 2026. 23,335 cases made.

Attractive Cabernet-Merlot fruit with the slightly understated elegance that is so true to Lagrange. Lovely fragrance and beautiful depth of fruit. A wine of elegant harmony.

This is a classic St.-Julien with red fruit and delicate herbs on the nose. The oak is quite discreet both there and on the mid-weight body. Then the serious but rather elegant dry tannins come through on the long finish. Drink in 2022.

Fresh, bright and crisp, the cassis and cranberry fruits are made more interesting with the addition of fresh herbs, tobacco and spice. Medium to full-bodied, and on the fresh side, this should age nicely.

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. The bouquet, with medium intensity, shows plenty of blackcurrant, Sichuan pepper, subtle notes of dried mushrooms and lovage. On the palate, slender, long, with fine-grained muscle, a nice aftertaste. I would have expected a bit more drive here.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. The bouquet, with medium intensity, shows plenty of blackcurrant, Sichuan pepper, fine nuances of dried mushrooms and lovage. On the palate, slender, long and finely muscular, with a lovely aftertaste. I would have expected a bit more drive here.

Herbs, elegant bouquet, red and blue berries, fine woods, slate. Balanced, elegant, delicate palate with good fruit, fine tannins, a tightly interwoven structure, powerful aromatics, and a long, fresh finish with good afterflavors. 17/20 2022 - 2038

Richly concentrated plum, cassis, and damson; this is powerful, with the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 2000 vintage. Firm yet fine in its architecture, it combines succulent tannins with a gourmet edge of sweet fruit. The structure is beginning to soften but needs a few more years to fully open, so give it either a long decant of three hours or more, or wait. 40% of the production in the 1st wine, with 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.

Made from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2014 Lagrange is deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with ready-to-go notes of preserved plums, dried mulberries, and mince pie plus wafts of fallen leaves and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is chewy and rugged, with just enough fruit and a firm finish.

Delicate notes on the nose, between cedar and root nuances, fresh, very elegant, not a huge volume of matter but a racy, balanced body, quintessentially Médoc in style.

It is strongly defined by the straightness of its Cabernets, which guide the palate and lend it depth. A touch austere at this stage, it does not lack length.

A very elegant, discreet, well-balanced wine; it doesn’t show off, yet it’s very harmonious and still a bit reserved. As the saying goes, it’s got plenty left in the tank.

Intense ruby red with slight purple highlights. A delicate, complex bouquet with notes of blueberries and graphite. The nose is defined by freshness and finesse. Silky, elegant attack with a beautiful synergy of power, elegance, and vibrancy. The wine has body and muscle. The tannins are slightly recessed but have enough potential to suit the structure. Elegant, persistent finish. A wine to follow, as it still has plenty of stories to tell.

Dark, intense, youthful color. Moderately intense nose with fruit that is both ripe and slightly lively. The palate is full-bodied, with interesting assets on the attack and an austere tannic firmness in the mid-to-late palate. Medium length.

Firm and still dry with the solid tannins, the wine's ripe fruitiness is developing well. The combination gives great potential. Black currant and berry fruits are both there with crisp juicy acidity. The aftertaste is a reminder that this wine has a long way to go. Drink from 2024.