Château Lagrange 2009 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Creamy texture, refined tannins; supple, full-bodied, and elegant, embodying the quintessential classic style of the Médoc.

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.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

This family-owned estate, on a modest scale (barely 10 hectares), offers a wine with a classic presentation and a ruby hue. Fresh aromas of strawberry and raspberry waft from the glass, which are reflected in a well-structured and balanced palate, supported by fine tannins. Best enjoyed within the next two to three years.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

This wine is aging beautifully and will continue to settle. You can already sense its lovely, creamy richness and abundance of soft, stewed fruit. The spices and oak will blend together, harmonizing elegantly.

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:

With a tight structure, rich, woody notes, and tremendous concentration, this 2009 Lagrange is an exceptional wine that offers length, richness, and character. It should be cellared for 5 to 6 years and enjoyed over the next 25 years.

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

About the wine:

We were already impressed by the 2009 vintage. Combining power and elegance, it offered, above all, a vibrant, truly delicious fruitiness.

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.

Wine Spectator

James Suckling