Lagrange (St Julien) 2019

Inky, glass-staining in colour, this is richly textured and intense, easily rivalling the best ever vintages at the property. Filled with creamy damson and cassis fruit, with a sense of precision and restraint to the frame, held in by fine but plentiful tannins. 30% 1st wine, highest ever Cabenet Sauvignon, 50% new oak for ageing. An exceptional wine, marking 125 years since the founding of Suntory in Japan. Eric Boissenot consultant.

Tasted blind. Rather a simple crimson colour. Introvert nose. Solid and long term, but with lots tucked in there. Ambitious with masses of fruit, as well as masses of tannin. 13.5%Drink 2030– 2052

While I don't think the 2019 Château Lagrange matches the 2018, it's not far off, with a more elegant yet still concentrated style. Beautiful crème de cassis, spicy oak, tobacco, chocolate, and new saddle leather notes all emerge on the nose, and it stays tight, compact, and focused on the palate, with plenty of firm tannins. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass but merits 4-6 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 20-25 years or more.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.Look at all that Cabernet in the blend! Classic graphite and cassis aromas. Deep and quite profound with layered fruit, freshness and a big but polished tannic frame. Long, firm finish. Solid and with staying power. (JL)Drink 2027 – 2045

The 2019 Lagrange, which was picked over the longest period ever, has a compelling bouquet of beautifully defined black fruit laced with cedar and light graphite notes. The palate is smooth, fresh and vibrant, with great depth, perfectly judged acidity and a brilliantly focused finish. Winemaker Mathieu Bordes has crafted the best Lagrange in recent years, a benchmark for the estate. 2025 - 2055

The 2019 Lagrange was picked from 24 September and finished with the Petit Verdot on 14 October - the longest harvest at 27 days. It has quite a dense, powerful bouquet with black fruit, sous-bois and cedar, taking its time to open but somehow remaining more “distant” than previous vintages of Lagrange. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, layers of black fruit with just a light citric touch. Quite a streamlined Lagrange in the context of a warm growing season, this feels agile and nimble on the finish. Excellent. 2025 - 2055

A red with dark fruit and plenty of dark chocolate, as well as spice undertones. Full body. Juicy finish. Extremely balanced and refined.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Lagrange is deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with fragrant scents of roses and fallen leaves over a core of cassis, blackberry preserves, and licorice, plus a hint of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has lovely tension, with graceful red and black fruit layers and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed.

Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Lagrange charges out of the gate with bright, shiny, classic cassis, cedar chest and clove oil scents followed by hints of ripe black cherries, mulberries, spice cake and menthol. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with taut, crunchy black fruits, supported by rock-solid grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and invigorating. 2025 - 2048

Great St Julien character and finesse, this is well balanced and restrained, with juicy damson and cassis fruits, great quality. Lovely expansion through the mid palate, with cigar box spice and slate, and it hugs on at the end of the palate, stretching out the experience. Absolutely delivers on its En Primeur promise. Highest level of Cabernet in the estate's recent history, longest harvest ever from September 24 through to October 14, and only 1/3 of overall production in the 1st wine.

Dark plum in colour, medium intensity, this is sleek, well-defined and has an extremely pure expression of cassis fruit. Just enormously elegant, with tons of St Julien balance, and fine tannins that are sure to take it through the next few decades with ease. I love this wine, one of the most enjoyable of the vintage in St Julien, with a strikingly seductive texture. Tasted twice two weeks apart, sure to become a standout with some bottle age. When you look at the figures (which I only did after tasting) you start to understand why this is so good - highest level of Cabernet in the estate's recent history, longest harvest ever through to October 14, and only 1/3 of overall production in the 1st wine, lowest amount to date. Whatever they are doing, they are getting it right. Drinking Window 2027 - 2045