Lagrange (St Julien) 2007

An outstanding effort, the seductive, plump, broadly flavored, dense purple-colored 2007 Lagrange boasts sweet creme de cassis, camphor, and subtle spicy oak notes. Generously endowed and medium to full-bodied, it is ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years. Drink 2010-2022.

Tasted at the UGC in London. There is a sense of exuberance on the nose: black berries, wild strawberry, cedar, a touch of Asian spice coming through. Great lift and intensity. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe black fruits, good structure with a firm, quite masculine finish with just a hint of tobacco and spice. Very good for the vintage. Classy. Drink 2011-2020. Tasted November 2009.

Ready to drink, lighter in frame than the 2005 and 2006 but the fruit is precise and finessed, and we are in the heart of St Julien here, with mouthwatering power and minerality. Cassis bud, liqourice root, a whisper away from fully ripe, but mouthwatering and moriesh. Harvest September 20 to October 13, making the most of the Indian summer, and allowing this high level of Cabernet Sauvignon. Mathieu Bordès first full vintage, 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.

Bright ruby-red. Very pure, primary aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate and camphor. Juicy, pure and fresh, with good density of black fruit flavor and noteworthy inner-mouth energy and precision for the year. In a rather suave and nicely ripe style, with little or no veggie character. Spreads out nicely on the back, finishing with fairly ripe tannins. Rather elegantly styled wine with good material.