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

Bettane & Desseauve

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 its 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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Aromatically very expressive on the nose. Fragrant with ripe fruit and floral notes. Supple and juicy, it is full of life and vibrancy. The tannins are sumptuous yet fleshy, lending roundness to the expression and allowing the red fruit to shine while the acidity keeps everything in balance. A joyful wine, so easy to love—refreshing and pleasant. The texture and body are excellent, with lovely herbal notes and a hint of salinity, refreshing touches of mint, and a long finish. It is truly well-crafted and delivers with confidence. It is lightly structured in terms of texture, more layered vertically than horizontally, which gives it an airy freshness throughout the tasting. 2025–2040

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

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 the estate received the attention it deserved: restoration of the vineyard, a new winery, and above all, a dynamic team led by Marcel Ducasse—who was replaced in 2007 by Bruno Eynard, who had served as his assistant for 17 years. The new winery now facilitates even more precise plot-by-plot winemaking.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Lagrange 2020 is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2019 vintage. It offers aromas of blackcurrant and plum intertwined with notes of violet, licorice, pencil shavings, and vanilla bean. It is medium- to full-bodied, rich, and layered, with a deep core of ripe yet vibrant fruit, framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves with a gentle grip on the finish. 2027–2055

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

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 slightly 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.

James Suckling

About the wine:

An enticing nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, walnuts, ink, and kaffir lime leaves. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied, firm and structured, with chewy, tight tannins. Dark and intense, with a long, lingering finish. It develops notes of graphite and cedar. It needs time to open up and soften. Best enjoyed starting in 2026.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

On the nose, bright, unadulterated red fruit. “Come in, come in! Welcome!” it seems to say. Smooth and supple on the palate, soothing, it knows exactly where to take you—all the way to the rich finish and its delightful aftertaste.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

The nose is rather reserved and takes a while to open up. Then comes a lovely concentration of black and red fruits, with a hint of jam (strawberry, raspberry), creating an undeniable allure. Without being overly exuberant, Lagrange displays very ripe fruit, framed by firm tannins that will soften with time.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

In terms of authenticity and consistency, this vintage is exceptional! Year after year, Lagrange’s style is highly acclaimed. The Cabernet Sauvignon certainly showcases its freshness, while the Merlot rounds out the edges. Lagrange is flavorful, full-bodied, and perfectly supported by creamy tannins. The acidity provides a solid foundation and highlights the aromatic expression on the finish. An expressive and persistent Lagrange with revitalizing freshness! 2026–2042

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The wine 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, its silky and elegant tannins, and its length and purity. Since the 2016 vintage, Lagrange has been on a roll, and 2020 could be the estate’s best vintage to date. If you haven’t tasted their wines yet, you need to get a bottle and open it! Drink between 2027 and 2055.