The 2022 Lagrange has turned out nicely in bottle, offering up classic aromas of crème de cassis, plums and pencil shavings, framed by a deft touch of oak vanillin. Medium to full-bodied, dense and velvety, with lively acids and chalky tannins, it's an especially muscular, rich Lagrange that will reward a bit of patience.
Winespectator (91)
Silky and enticing, with gently mulled raspberry and boysenberry fruit that glides through, flecked with anise, red tea and sandalwood notes. Ready to go. Drink now through 2035. 2,300 cases made, 200 cases imported.
James Suckling (96)
Very firm and focused with silky tannins, which are driven and intense. Full-bodied yet reserved and polished. Impressive finish for the estate with chocolate and light coffee bean. Pure merlot.
Jancis Robinson (16.50)
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.
Light nose. Fresher than some with much less intense fruit and quite a bit of tannin. Picked earlier than some of its peers? A little angular and green but no disgrace. (JR)
Vinous (95)
The 2022 Lagrange (Saint-Julien) has a serious Saint-Julien bouquet: quite dense compared to previous vintages, with potent black fruit, cedar and freshly rolled tobacco that all dovetails into more estuarine-influenced aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe entry, quite bold in flavor yet there is also control and focus. This is a more muscular Lagrange, grippy with a tarry finish. To repeat, the 2022 is a "serious" Lagrange in a positive use of that word, one that will demand bottle age, ranking alongside the 2016 as the best Grand Vin from this estate.
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Cassis, ripe black cherries, freshly sharpened pencils, leather, and violet notes all shine in the 2022 Château Lagrange, a remarkably pure, concentrated, powerful Saint-Julien with fine tannins and a seamless, balanced mouthfeel. It has the fruit to shine even today. As with many of these top Médocs, I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 2-3 years of bottle age. It's going to be long-lived. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent 21 months in 60% new French oak.
Decanter (96)
Structured and so appealing on the palate, this has a rich texture but doesn't come across as too much. Filling but lifted giving freshness and ripe fruit. I love the delicacy of the tannins, this is finessed with so much detail on show. Feels cool and calm, not shouting, everything in harmony and delivering a really classically styled wine. Power is there for sure but this has poise too. A lovely Lagrange.
