Château Lagrange Grand Cru Classé 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Very classic in its aromatic profile (spicy cedar with a hint of resin), elegant, refined, and exceptionally well-crafted.

About the estate:

This vast vineyard estate, as consistent in character as its neighbor Gruaud-Larose, has seen its vines mature and lend an unprecedented intensity to the grand cru, while refining its style over the past three years thanks to the efforts of the current technical team. Its wine is a straightforward, classic, almost mineral expression of the finest terroirs of Saint-Julien, revealing an undeniable similarity in flavor and style to Léoville-Las-Cases—which is no small compliment. Excellent value for money.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A 2011 vintage that emphasizes finesse over power. The nose, with its emerging complexity, is dominated by toasty and roasted notes, with red fruit flavors remaining somewhat subdued for now. Soft, round, and velvety on the palate, it features tannins that are distinct yet silky, without being overly assertive, and a pleasant oakiness with hints of cocoa.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

A rich, indulgent wine with spices, ripe fruit, body, and a hint of tannins in the finish. The fruit sensually envelops the structure, which quickly melts away. Complex and flavorful—pure pleasure!

About the estate:

It is often thanks to the owner’s dedication that Bordeaux châteaux are able to reach their full potential. Lagrange was not so fortunate, changing hands frequently. It was not until the arrival of the Japanese group Suntory in 1983 that it received the attention it deserved: restoration of the vineyard, a new winery, and above all, a dynamic team led by Marcel Ducasse—replaced in 2007 by Bruno Eynard, who had served as his assistant for 17 years. The new winery now facilitates even more precise single-vineyard winemaking.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

... a 2011 vintage that is slightly deeper, but also more concentrated.

About the estate:

Acquired by the Japanese group Suntory in 1983, the château quickly established itself as a reliable and consistent choice within the appellation, producing elegant, well-structured, and consistently affordable wines. A vast estate managed with great care, though its most recent vintages—while by no means lacking merit—seemed to us somewhat less compelling. In a highly competitive landscape, facing neighbors who spare no detail in producing the finest wines possible, Lagrange appears somewhat stagnant, leading us to remove its star.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling