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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Undoubtedly the finest wine we’ve ever seen produced from this vineyard. It perfectly embodies everything one should expect from a great Saint-Julien. It offers exceptional value for money and is a remarkable success.

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:

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 bring great finesse and precision. It is fresh and serene, without excess, perfectly harmonious, making it a classic-style wine. It is certainly powerful, but it is also 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 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

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

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 right now. As with many great Médocs, it would not be surprising if it closes 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 focus on well-integrated dark fruit, strawberry jam, and a hint of roasted notes. This wine is built on a firm, assertive tannic structure, with a well-balanced body that unfolds with a long finish. The acidity, infused with 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 a 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 valuable structure and ensure excellent aging potential, without precluding the enjoyment of the wine in its youth. A very fine achievement. 2026–2044