Castle Lagrange - Saint-Julien 2006

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/31/2016

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. I awarded the 2006 Château Lagrange a very high score when I tasted it from barrel. It does nothing to dispel my optismism in bottle after ten years. It has a lively, quite vivacious bouquet with blackberry, briary, cedar and violet scents, almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine grip in the mouth. The acidity here is well judged, extremely well focused with impressive weight and structure on the finish, backed up by that tobacco-stained fruit. You cannot go wrong with Lagrange in this vintage. Tasted January 2016.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/11/2014

Tasted at the château for a 30-year vertical tasting. The 2006 Lagrange is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot picked between 18 September and 5 October. The aromatics are cut from a similar cloth to the 2005, albeit with less intensity. But there are still lovely cedar-infused black fruit to savour and its precision should be applauded. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a sharp, spicy entry. The tannins feel a little furry and there is a distinct Oriental note entering the ring towards the slightly attenuated finish. Still, this is a fine example of the vintage. Drink now-2028. Tasted March 2014.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe1/27/2010

Rather dull deep purple. Very introvert at the moment. Brooding and pretty convincing on the palate. Lots of fruit concentration and very fine, well-managed tannins. No excess of acidity - just extremely inexpressive currently... It did open up in the glass. Drink 2016-2030 17+

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2009

Subtle aromas of raspberry and coffee bean follow through to a full body, with refined tannis and a fruity finish. Silky and balanced, even delicate. Not at all overdone.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/1/2009

A very strong effort from Lagrange in 2006, this estate’s tendency for including a nearly overwhelming oak component in its wines has been tamed in this cuvee, resulting in a better-balanced, potentially complex offering. A deep opaque purple color is followed by aromas of espresso roast, subtle pain grille, black currants, and cigar box. Full-bodied and surprisingly powerful for a 2006, with outstanding purity, texture, and depth, patience will be required for this beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

(a 59/41 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Bright ruby-red. Pure, vibrant aromas of cassis, flowers and minerals. Juicy and concentrated, with black fruit, mineral and floral flavors complicated by hints of camphor and mint. This dense and rather backward wine spreads out to coat the palate. Finishes with mouth-dusting tannins that will require patience. Despite the substantial merlot component, this comes across as a classic cabernet vintage. Like a more powerful version of the 2007-in fact, says Eynard, we didn't need the petit verdot for structure in 2006.

La Revue du Vin de France

15,5-16,5 / 20

the7/6/2007

Jolie puissance, mais encore un peu serré. On perçoit une très belle matière. Les tanins doivent s'assouplir. Il possède du potentiel.

Decanter Magazine

17 / 20

the6/30/2007

Fine, deep colour, beautifully extracted fragrance of blackcurrant fruit, fresh and lifted, oak blended in, lightly concentrated, fine length, purity and balance. 2013-22

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/24/2007

Un remarquable Lagrange une nouvelle fois, et qui joue sur un équilibre parfait entre acidité, tanins mûrs et alcool, beaucoup de fruit, d'onctosité et de finesse, des notes myrtille et une finale vive qui prolonge le fruit en bouche.

Falstaff

87-89 / 100

the5/24/2007

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase zart nach Vanilleschoten, feine Kirschenfrucht, delikates Bukett, feine balsamische Nuancen. Am Gaumen saftig, aber auch etwas weitmaschig, süße Kirschkonfitüre, präsente Tannine, zart karamelliger Nachhall, guter Speisenbegleiter.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/7/2007

2015-2030. Tiefes, dichtes Purpur mit violettem Schimmer. Süsses, volles Bouquet, viel Cassis und Brombeeren, dunkle Edelhölzer, Kaffeenoten, Black Currant. Samtiger, fein stoffiger Gaumen, Eleganz zeigend, tolle Komplexität in der Adstringenz. Lagrange zeigt, wie toll der Jahrgang in der Appellation St-Julien generell einzustufen ist.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

A strong effort for this estate, the 2006 Lagrange competes with the finest wines of the appellation. One of my pet peeves with this wine is that the oak is often excessive, but in this vintage, it is beautifully integrated, allowing the sweet cassis, licorice, herb, and spice box notes to dominate. Ripe and medium to full-bodied with moderately sweet tannin, abundant fruit, and a long finish, it is similar to the 1996 Lagrange, with perhaps more fruit. Time will tell. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2027.

Vinum

16.50 / 20

the4/30/2007

Verführerisch blumig und fruchtig; voller Rasse und Frische, hervorragendes, lebhaftes Tannin, pfeffrig-herbes, aber auch fruchtiges Finale. Wird gut reifen. 2014 bis 2022

TAST

16,5 / 20

the4/30/2007

Riche en couleur, en tannin, en alcool, ferme, ample, plus défini et dégagé que Gruaud, serré, tendu, épicé, tout à fait dans le caractère de l’année ! Grand avenir, et espérons un prix de vente qui maintiendrait sa réputation de grand vin accessible !

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2007

Tasted at the UGC. This is a wonderful Saint Julien, one of the finest of the appellation. The nose is rather pinched at this stage, but reluctantly reveals aromas of freshly tilled earth and gravel. The palate is well-structured, dense and muscular with very fine acidity. Focused with great delineation, it has a similar personality to Grand-Puy Lacoste. Very good length, unmistakably Saint Julien. Great breeding and typicity here. Do not ignore this wine.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

the4/15/2007

A well-balanced, beautifully layered wine, bringing the rich fruits, the solid tannins and the fresh, finishing acidity well together. An excellent, solid effort. —R.V.

Jancis Robinson

16.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/11/2007

Black! Black fruits, black liquorice. Good, neat, quite dry fruit but pretty chewy and drying on the finish. Needs quite a time to melt. Very slightly fizzy. Well done – cross between ancient and modern styles if closer to modern. Just slightly hollow. A little bit sweet.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

the4/11/2007

Voici un succès de l'année. Au-delà de sa très belle couleur sombre, le nez se différencie de ses pairs de par un aspect très frais, pur et très fruité. Bouche grasse, charmeuse, mais aussi complète. Le vin évolue très fondant, avec du gras en deuxième partie de bouche et une belle allonge finale. Tanins présents, mais savoureux et raffinés. Une réussite. Goûté deux fois au même niveau.