Vinous 92 byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024 The 2014 Lagrange has an expressive bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry and cedar scents. The oak is nicely integrated, though it is not terribly complex. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine tannins and touches of blue fruit emerging towards the finish with more succulence than the aromatics imply. Give this another couple of years in bottle because it is a Saint-Julien with pedigree. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Vinous 92 byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018 The 2014 Lagrange has one of the most exotic bouquet from the flight of Saint Julien wines with red cherries, kirsch, blueberry and press flowers, almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, quite saline in the mouth with a hint of black olive, a very crisp bead of acidity. Nice grip here, quite firm and dense. One to watch. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Wine Spectator 89 byJames Molesworththe3/31/2017 A fruitcake note leads the way, followed by warm plum sauce, crushed blackberry and cassis details. A firm graphite edge holds the finish, leaving a taut feel in the end. Best from 2019 through 2026. 23,335 cases made.
Wine Advocate 92 byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017 The 2014 Lagrange has indeed pulled its socks up, as I opined when I tasted the wine from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a conservative, tertiary nose with introverted black fruit mixed with cedar and sandalwood aromas. It feels tight at the moment but there is satisfying focus here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry, though the Merlot component becomes more prominent towards the finish and offers a lovely fleshy, poised finish with a dab of black pepper on the aftertaste. Modest but stylish Lagrange, which is exactly what you expect.
Jamessuckling.com 93 byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017 This is a classic St.-Julien with red fruit and delicate herbs on the nose. The oak is quite discreet both there and on the mid-weight body. Then the serious but rather elegant dry tannins come through on the long finish. Drink in 2022.
Vinous 93 byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017 The 2014 Lagrange is terrific. Bold, juicy and exuberant, the 2014 possesses striking balance and textural richness. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, iron, smoke and tobacco underpin a core of intense red-toned fruit in a super-expressive, layered wine endowed with real pedigree. The firm, muscular tannins need time to soften, but there is plenty to look forward to.
Wine Enthusiast 94 byRoger Vossthe2/2/2017 Firm and still dry with the solid tannins, the wine's ripe fruitiness is developing well. The combination gives great potential. Black currant and berry fruits are both there with crisp juicy acidity. The aftertaste is a reminder that this wine has a long way to go. Drink from 2024.
Le Point 16-16,5 byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015 Fruits noirs, cassis, bouche ronde, souple, fraîche, assez vive, belle acidité, pH à 3,50, frais, tendu.
Vinous 90-93 byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015 The 2014 Lagrange is gorgeous. Scents of iron, smoke, cedar and licorice open up in a wine that shows the more powerful, virile side of the year. A wine of breath and amplitude, the 2014 Lagrange is wonderfully expressive today. Red plum, cherry jam, smoke and tobacco are some of the notes that build to the voluptuous finish.
The Wine Cellar Insider 88-90 byJeff Levethe5/5/2015 With more softness than expected, this medium-bodied wine tastes like you’re biting into a handful of fresh, juicy, ripe, crisp, red fruits with a spray of cassis on top. 88-90 Pts
Wine Advocate 87-89 byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015 The Château Lagrange 2014 has a perfumed nose with blackcurrant pastille. It is well defined with nicely integrated oak, black rather than red fruit with a pleasant touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe black fruit and a keen line of acidity. It does not quite possess the weight and concentration of its peers. It is balanced but it needs to muster more substance during its élevage. A second and third example confirmed my findings, a Lagrange that needs to pull its socks up by the time of bottling.
Asian Palate 89 byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015 Upfront, fruity and sweet with ripe fruit and firm tannin backbone. This well-made Lagrange does not have immense concentration, but all the elements are in balance and the fruit has lovely freshness. Enjoy fairly young.
Decanter.com 17,25 bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015 Attractive Cabernet-Merlot fruit with the slightly understated elegance that is true to Lagrange. Lovely fragrance and beautiful depth of fruit; elegant harmony. Drink: 2018-2028 (90+)
Jancis Robinson 16 byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015 Dark crimson. Rather indistinct nose. Though it seems as though there is a lot hidden here. Just a bit austere. Not the full ripeness that some have achieved. Falls away a bit. Hint of iron filings. Pretty severe finish. Drink 2024-2034 (16+)
Jamessuckling.com 91-92 byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015 A tight and very fine wine with a blueberry and blackcurrant character. Medium to full body, firm tannins. Polished Lagrange style here.
René Gabriel 17 byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015 Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Das Bouquet mit mittlerem Druck zeigt viele Johannisbeeren, Szechuanpfeffer, feine Nuancen von Trockenpilzen und Liebstöckel. Im Gaumen schlank, lang und mit feinen Muskeln, schönes Rückaroma. Hier hätte ich etwas mehr Druck erwartet. 17/20 2022 – 2040
Wine Enthusiast 94 byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015 93–95. Barrel Sample. While the tannins are dry and concentrated, the fresh black currant and berry fruits brilliantly support them. Solid and dense, the wine will age well. — R.V. (4/1/2015)
Wine Spectator 87-90 byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015 An elegant style, with pretty blueberry and warmed cherry notes gliding along the relatively supple structure. Lightens up a bit on the finish, but a good stony edgekeeps this honest.