Lagrange - Saint-Julien 2002

Wine Advocate

89

byNeal Martinthe8/11/2014

Tasted at the château for a 30-year vertical tasting. The 2002 Lagrange is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 13% Petit Verdot picked between 1 and 14 October. It has an open, airy and transparent bouquet with blackberry and mint augmented by sous-bois and tobacco. It is quite Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with an upfront, quite high-toned sweet entry, good extraction here although it is missing some finesse and tension towards the finish, as if it is trying to over-compensate for the limitations of the vintage. Still, this is a commendable effort. Drink now-2025+ Tasted March 2014.

Wine Advocate

88

byNeal Martinthe11/11/2009

Tasted blind at Farr’s 2002 Bordeaux tasting. This is showing just a touch of under-ripeness on the nose. Faded raspberry and bilberry fruit, cedar-wood, damp earth and underbrush, with Asian spice developing with time. The palate is ripe on the entry, chewy texture with rounded black cherries and blueberries. Grippy but linear on the finish. Fine. Tasted October 2009.

Jancis Robinson

17.50

byJancis Robinsonthe10/13/2009

Very complete and mouth filling. Admirable. Fills the whole palate. Super brisk. Transparent. Good stuff. Drink 2009-20

Wine Advocate

89

byRobert Parkerthe4/29/2005

Deep ruby/purple with considerable amounts of toasty new oak blasting out of the glass, this wine’s heavy-handed vanilla oakiness conceals its relatively extracted, rich, tannic flavors. It remains dumb and closed, but offers excellent depth, power, and richness. While there is plenty here, patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020.

Wine Spectator

92

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2005

Pretty aromas of blackberries and currants, with hints of lead pencil. Full-bodied, yet very balanced, with a solid core of fruit and ultrafine tannins. Really well-crafted wine. Lagrange often excels in less than easy vintages, like 2002. Excellent. Best after 2008.