.jpg?fm=avif&q=30 "Château Lagrange, 3ème Cru Classé, St Julien")
Château Lagrange, 3ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2005
A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, this wine shows beautiful purity on the nose, with plenty of sloe, plum and cherry fruit framed in sweet vanilla, with a hit of not inconsiderable alcohol. The palate is stuffed with lively, dark fruit, yet is very elegant with good grip and fresh acidity. A ripe deep and balanced finish shows fine tannins. Very good.
critic reviews
The 2005 Lagrange is made from 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it needs a little swirling and convincing to coax out fragrant notes of stewed plums, blackcurrant jelly, and rose oil followed by touches of smoked meats and sassafras. The medium-bodied palate has a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy.
Balanced, classic, fine tannins, stretched out through the palate, delicate and finessed. Not as powerful as some 2005s right now but one to recommend for opening and drinking. Rose petals, blond tobacco, freshly cured leather, wild strawberries, gentle hedgerow and earthy acidity. A lovely surprise, a lesson in understated, unfussy, elegant claret. More evolved than some, but this is where I feel good 2005s will end - a delightful fine, easy to drink and utterly moreish glass of wine. 60% new oak, 43% 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.
The 2005 Lagrange was picked from 21 September until 10 October. It has a harmonious and vigorous bouquet with blackberry, cedar, tobacco aromas and just a light estuarine scent that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins and much more mid-palate presence than prior vintages. There is more body and grip, a sense of boldness towards the finish that should stand it in good stead for long-term ageing. Superb. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate.
The 2005 Lagrange comes across as somewhat masculine, tannic and austere. The oak is under control, which is always good to see, but the wine lacks charm and sweetness, although there is some nice concentration and body. Give it another 4-5 years and drink it over the next two decades.