James Suckling 92 points
Really clear aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries … tight, refined tannins… Best after 2024.
TERROIR
Completely situated in the village of SaintJulien, the vineyard of Chateau Lagrange represents 118 hectares in red vines, spread over two hills with the slopes directed towards the North and the South, in one block. The subsoil is of clay and limestone and the topsoil is of pebbles and gravel. The climate is temperate and oceanic.
THE VINTAGE
2019, just like 2018, will be remembered for its really contrasting weather. We had a cold, wet spring, and then a dry, hot summer with recordbreaking sunshine ! This was the longest harvest we had ever seen. The berry weight was the lowest of the last 36 years at Lagrange. We took a gamble stopping for a while between the Merlot and the Cabernet, judging the latter’s phenolic maturity not in adequacy with its technological maturity. It was important not to rush, tasting the grapes daily as the skins became gradually thinner and aromas were progressively revealed: we harvested the richest grapes in the domaine’s modern history.
Blend 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Planting Density 8 700 to 10 000 vines / hectare
Harvest From September 18th to October 14th 2019. Grapes are handpicked into individual crates. A first selection is done by hand on whole bunches, and a second one grape by grape with an optical camera.
Vinification Plot by plot and intra plot vinification. 102 thermoregulated stainless steel vats for 103 vine plots
Variable capacity of the vats : 36 to 220 hl
Selection of batch conducted according to the varietal, age of vines, terroir and grapes maturity.
Traditional vinification at 26-28°C during 18 to 25 days
Moderate pumping-over every day, or pigeage or delestage
Malo lactic fermentation through co inoculation
Average age of the vine 28 years
% of second Label 67%
Barrel Ageing Blending in January
Maturation for 13 months
20 % of new oak barrels
Fining in barrel with fresh eggwhites
Final blending before bottling
Tasting Window 2022-2040
TASTING NOTE
Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2019 may surprise you with its pure harmony! The nose offers a subtle marriage of black and red fruit, peppered with spicy notes. The palate is generous, creamy and smooth. A pleasant freshness brings balance to this wine that could be approachable young. But make no mistake, this is a bottle that will also continue to amaze us for the next 20 years!
