Château Lagrange Saint-Julien 2022 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Undoubtedly the greatest wine we’ve ever seen produced from this vineyard. It perfectly embodies what one should expect from a fine Saint-Julien. It’s certainly excellent value for the price and a remarkable success.

About the estate:

This vast vineyard estate, which—like its neighbor Gruaud-Larose—is remarkably uniform, has seen its vines mature and impart 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 the price.

Decanter

About the wine:

Well-structured and very appealing on the palate, it has a rich texture without being overpowering. Rich yet lively, it offers lovely freshness and aromas of ripe fruit. I love the delicacy of the tannins, which lend great finesse and precision. It is fresh and serene, without excess, and perfectly harmonious, making it a classic-style wine. It is certainly powerful, but it is also well-balanced. A magnificent Lagrange. 2028–2048

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 wasn’t until the Japanese group Suntory took over in 1983 that the estate received the attention it deserved: the vineyard was replanted, a new winery was built, and, most importantly, a top-notch team was assembled, 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

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. It is a vast estate managed with great care, but its most recent vintages—while by no means lacking in merit—have struck us as slightly less compelling. In a highly competitive landscape, facing neighbors who spare no effort to produce the finest wines possible, Lagrange seems somewhat stagnant, leading us to remove its star.

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Blackcurrant, ripe black cherries, freshly sharpened pencil lead, leather, and violet blossom in the 2022 Château Lagrange, a remarkably pure, concentrated, and powerful Saint-Julien with fine tannins and a silky, balanced texture. Its fruitiness allows it to shine even now. As with many great Médocs, it would not be surprising if it were to close up after 2 to 3 years of bottle aging. This is a wine with great aging potential. 2029–2059

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Beautiful intensity, with a distinct focus on well-balanced dark fruit, strawberry jam, and a hint of roasted notes. This wine is built on a firm and assertive tannic structure, with a well-centered body that unfolds with a long finish. The acidity, enhanced by fresh blackcurrant, captivates the palate. It is a superb wine for aging.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Lagrange’s bouquet unfolds with subtlety and elegance. It is harmonious, precise, and deep. No single element dominates, except for the sense of finesse. Delicate hints of fresh wood give way to aromas of blueberries, a touch of graphite, menthol notes, and a hint of licorice. The silky attack gives way to a linear, velvety, elegant, and deep wine. Its tannins emerge late and unfold their power with tact and precision. They provide excellent structure and ensure excellent aging potential, though the wine can certainly be enjoyed in its youth as well. A truly fine achievement. 2026–2044