Chateau Lagrange - Saint-Julien 2010

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/11/2014

Tasted at the château for a 30-year vertical tasting. The 2010 Lagrange is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot picked between 29 September and 20 October. The nose is more reserved than the 2009, but compelling, with broody black fruit, cedar and bay leaf. With continued aeration there is a touch of the sea. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good tension, and razor-sharp precision. There is plenty of freshness here, although I prefer the extravagance demonstrated by the previous vintage. Drink 2017-2035+ Tasted March 2014.

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe7/23/2014

Loads of tension and form. It can be cellared for decades, but it’s balanced and beautiful already. Lots of blueberry, licorice and blackberry character. Try in 2018.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Bright ruby-red.  Brooding aromas of blackberry, cassis and licorice.  Backward and youthfully medicinal but already shows lovely floral lift--to to mention ripe framing acidity--to its dark berry, menthol and licorice flavors.  A bit strict today and in need of several years of bottle aging, but the firm tannins are ultimately rather velvety. 90 (+?) points

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Notes of singed alder, graphite and charcoal wrap around the core of intense blackberry paste, warm plum sauce and currant preserves. Turns sleek and racy on the well-knit finish despite the notable grip. Best from 2015 through 2030. –JM

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/2013

Somewhat of a beast, this monolithic, oaky wine is full-bodied, highly extracted and difficult to evaluate. Some hints of roasted herbs, chocolate, black currant and coffee are present, but the oak dominates, as do the tannins. This wine seems much woodier, and more closed and foreboding than any other St. Julien I tasted. Forget it for 7-8 years and hope for the best. (89+ points)

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2013

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Lagrange has a very refined, sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, bay leaf, cedar and sous-bois, all with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine grippy entry. There is a lot of citrus fruit here, lending the 2010 tension and poise. It remains linear and focused, saving something up for the future. Excellent. Tasted December 2012.

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

Great nose of blueberries, spices and hints of walnuts. Full body, with a lovely finish of well-integrated tannins and a long, long finish. This is structured yet all in finesse. Best in years. Try in 2018.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

the5/31/2011

Tiefes Purpur. Schwarze Kirschen, Brombeeren, Tabak und ein Hauch Kandisnoten im bereits verwobnen Nasenbild. Im Gaumen fein, guter Stoff, ausgeglichene Adstringenz mit dezent aufrauender Note, klingt angenehm nach mit mittlerem Druck. Kann noch zulegen. 2015-2038

La Revue du Vin de France

17-18 / 20

the5/31/2011

AU fil des ans, la proportion de cabernet sauvignon augmente dans l'assemblage final de Lagrange, pour atteindre 75% en 2010. Un choix judicieux qui donne de la profondeur et de la complexité au cru. Une meilleure gestion des vinifications par parcelles lui a aussi permis de s'affiner. Le 2010 possède une belle énergie, une matière profonde et une densité contenue.

Wine Advocate

89-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010: Lagrange's relatively new winemaking team appears to have backed off the aggressive oak regime and the result is a wine with better overall balance. Still a backward, muscular/masculine style of St.-Julien, it reveals abundant tannin along with a subtle hint of vanillin intermixed with lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, black currant and cassis characteristics. Although less expressive than some of its 2010 peers, it is a big, powerful, rich wine that needs a decade of cellaring. It should last for 30 years. Drink 2021-2051

Asian Palate

86-90 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

This is a well made St Julien with nice palate texture and weight with good depth of fruit. Flavours range from fresh blackberries, spices, cedar and Chinese red dates. The nose is restrained but the palate is generous with a nice length.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Epices, fruits noirs, bouche douce, ronde, moelleuse, un peu serré en finale, dense, tannique, finale assez marquée, tendu un peu accrocheuse, bonne longueur. Future belle bouteille mais qui demandera du temps. O=2018 G=20 ans

Decanter Magazine

17 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Fine expression of Cabernet fruit, elegant, less robust than many, but very good texture and depth. Drink 2018-30. (17 points)

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

A wine, with very pretty balance and length already. Full body, with a wonderful core of ripe fruit and a persistent silky finish. Lasts for a long time. Dense.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

This is precise, with pure, unadorned cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors woven with toasty vanilla and anise. Offers a lovely, rounded feel, despite its obvious weight. Very long. —J.M.

TAST

17-18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Généreux, bien arrondi, très bien vinifié, complexe, assez long, Lagrange intelligemment modernisé.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Lagrange is a powerful and packed with ripe dark berries and cassis. This concentrated coca and ripe berry flavored wine offers freshness and a licorice cassis filled finish. 90-92 Pts

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2011

Headily perfumed. Sweetly charming on the front palate and then it segues into structured chew. Real vitality here. Very cool and dry on the end – not succulent at this stage! Drink 2020-2035 (16,5+ points)

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/8/2011

This is a dark, dry wine initially austère. Then the bright berry fruit comes from behind the severe façade to give a structured, still luscious wine.-R.V.