Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2016

A beautiful St.-Julien that’s got everything you expect from this appellation, from the elegant, moderately dry tannins to the ripe red fruit and the lively acidity. Second wine of Château Lagrange. Drink or hold.

The 2016 Les Fiefs de Lagrange offers blackberry, raspberry and light cedar scents on a nose that gradually unfurls in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, a velvety-smooth texture and some quality new oak evident on the finish, fortunately neatly integrated and simpatico with the fruit. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drink 2021-2035.

The 2016 Les Fiefs de Lagrange, which actually comes from 35-year-old vines nowadays, is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot and matured in 20% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, especially for a Deuxième Vin, with pure black cherry, crème de cassis and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, quite tensile in the mouth and full of joie de vivre. You cannot really go wrong with Les Fiefs, and I bet it will be a great value once released.