Château Lagrange 2023

Cool, mineral, red-fruited character; lively on the palate, with a dancing lightness, delicate, finely structured, red-fruited, with very good length. A wine that could be overlooked because of its finesse.

Strawberry compote, clove, cedar and sandalwood. Plush, smoky oak wraps plum and dark berry fruit. Firm, chewy tannin adds weight; a powerful style that finishes spicy and rich.

Tobacco, herbs, cedar, currants, blackberries, and a hint of spearmint fill the perfume. Not a showy vintage, more classic in style, with effort, the wine offers its cherry, and currant character. Refined and reserved, a few years of bottle age is warranted. The wine blends 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2029-2055.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Shy bouquet, delicate notes of ripe plum, candied orange zest and herbs. Juicy, ripe cherry, mineral textures, ripe tannins, fresh structure, red forest berries on the finish, delicate sweetness in the aftertaste, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure.

84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 42% Grand Vin. A finely etched red-berried bouquet with raspberry pulp, light tobacco, dark graphite and blackcurrant nectar. On the palate, linear and tightly focused with vibrant energy, remaining remarkably dense and deep, with a tightly knit body. The long, concentrated finish shows fresh morello cherry juice, heather and fine-grained astringency.

Classical, well balanced, finessed, this is delivering St Julien typicity, elegance and reserved power, black fruits, tea leaf, crushed rocks, dried herbs, will take its time to fully open but this is going to deliver, and it's easy to recommend. 51hl/ha yield. Tasted twice.

Score: 90–92. A delicate, slightly shy nose of red and black fruits and a hint of coffee bean. The palate is sumptuous and generous, more defined by the juiciness of the fruit, but the tannins take the lead. The finish remains mouthwatering.

Notes of red berries, liquorice and mint highlight the wine’s freshness, while the ageing shows through subtly with hints of fresh wood. Compact in style, the wine has elegant, well-coated tannins that deliver beautifully controlled power, while the acidity is as structuring as it is refreshing. The result is a precise, harmonious Lagrange, savoury and mouthwatering. The energetic finish brings character, expression and persistence. A vibrant, exhilarating wine.

A lightly spicy wine with ripe black fruits and gentle tannins, this is attractive and perfumed. Its berry aroma and toasty edge from some wood aging are balanced with the wine's juicy fruits. Drink from 2027.

This is stylish, offering a pretty cascade of boysenberry and blackberry puree that glides through, with a silky structure, though a graphite underpinning is buried. Anise, black tea and a flash of cast iron emerge through the focused finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2040. 20,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

Logo on the cork: AL Dark, intense, purple colour. Intense, fruity, pure and vanilla nose. Precise on the attack, smooth on the mid-palate, the wine develops with a slender profile, though with a touch of astringency. It disappears on the finish to give way to the aromas, which is all for the better. Normal length.

The 2023 Lagrange has turned out very well in bottle, opening in the glass with notes of cherries, mulberries and violets, framed by nicely integrated new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a charming core of fruit, powdery tannins and lively acids, this is a strong effort from this Saint-Julien property.