Deze diep robijnrode Lagrange verrast met een rijpe en intense neus, overheerlijk cassis (70% Cabernet Sauvignon), fluwelen tannines, een prachtige structuur en even charmante finale. Is dit het toonbeeld van het succes van Saint Julien in 2016? Het is alvast een grandioos succes en hoogstwaarschijnlijk de beste Lagrange ooit. Volgens Neal Martin: “…may well rank as the finest produced.”
IN DE PERS
95 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Januari 2019)
The 2016 Lagrange has a tightly knit, focused bouquet of intense blackberry, briar and cedar aromas. This is impressive, and it gains intensity with aeration. The medium-bodied palate delivers grainy tannin, a fine bead of acidity and a vivacious, spicy, almost peppery finish. One of the most powerful Lagrange that I have tasted. A Saint-Julien that is consistently underrated, this 2016 will give a great deal of pleasure over the next 30-plus years. Drink 2023-2056.
94-96 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #230 - robertparker.com (April 2017)
The 2016 Lagrange is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot that is matured in 50% new oak. The yield came in at 46.5 hectoliters per hectare, lower than in 2015. It has a very well defined bouquet with intense black cherry, red plum, touches of cedar and with continued aeration, a hint of blueberry. It certainly is one of the most expressive Lagrange that I have tasted (and I write that having tasted them all back to the early 1980s). The palate is extremely well balanced with tensile tannin, vibrant and animated with blackberry, crème de cassis, a hint of orange zest. This is a great Lagrange, one that almost "zings" around the senses, barely able to contain the energy. A superior Lagrange to the 2015, this may well rank as the finest produced. Drink: 2025-2060.
93 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Januari 2019)
The 2016 Lagrange (Saint-Julien) is super-expressive today. Soft and supple, the 2016 is quite open, even in the early going. Sweet tobacco, menthol, dried herbs and licorice appear with time in the glass, adding lovely shades of nuance. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Lagrange is not especially complex, but it is absolutely delicious and will be impossible to resist upon release. A touch of blood orange, mint and red berry fruit adds freshness on the finish. Drink 2019-2031.
90-93 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (April 2017)
The 2016 Lagrange (Saint-Julien) is soft, pliant and inviting. A gracious midweight Saint-Julien, the 2016 is impeccably balanced. It is also one of the more sensual, graceful wines readers will taste in this appellation. Soft contours, pliant fruit and silky tannins add to that impression. Sweet tobacco, herbs, crushed flowers and dried cherries are all laced into the expressive finish.
95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com (December 2018)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Lagrange sashays out of the glass with notions of candied violets, cassis, underbrush and warm black plums with waves of Black Forest cake, cedar chest and yeast extract scents. Medium to full-bodied, the bags of perfumed black fruits are solidly structured with super ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and layered. Drink 2021-2045.
95-96 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2017)
Powerful red with a rich and tannic center palate. Full body, lots of depth and a long and chewy finish. Indeed, this shows potential. Much better than the 2015.
95 Jane Anson – decanter.com (April 2017)
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot. Château Lagrange is at 50% grand vin in 2016, which is its highest since the Suntory group became owners in 1983. They say that until now the percentage of Fiefs de Lagrange has always been higher, but in 2016 many plots planted in 1985 reached maturity. Together with the exceptional quality of the vintage and the intra-plot selection, this means more top quality wine destined for the grand vin. There is lovely concentration in this wine, with spicy pepper and cinnamon notes coming to the fore before the blackcurrant takes over on the mid-palate. 2016 was the longest harvest ever, according to technical director Matthieu Bordes, right through to 24th October. No doubt this is a fantastic Lagrange, to be savoured. Drink: 2027-2050.
16,5/20 Jancis Robinson – jancisrobinson.com (April 2017)
Dark purple. Quite high apparent volatile acidity. Big and broad but lacks a bit of precision and focus. A tad scrawny on the end. Was everything ripe enough? Dilute finish. The winemaker Matthieu Bordes has since contacted me to assure me that the VA level is low, only 0.31g/l and I will try to re-taste this. Drink: 2024-2038.
92-95 James Molesworth - Wine Spectator – winespectator.com (April 2017)
This has some serious grip along the edges, with graphite and iron notes working together to support the core of cassis, blackberry and açai fruit flavors. The long finish has the pure, fresh character of the vintage.
90 Tim Atkin – timatkin.com (April 2017)
Petit Verdot is back in a big way at Lagrange in 2016, adding some backbone to wines that tend to be quite forward in style. This is very grassy and fresh, with well handle 60% new oak, bright acidity and a foundation of tannin. 2024-30.
92-94 Jeff Leve – thewinecellarinsider.com (April 2017)
93-95 Roger Voss – wineenthusiast.com (April 2017)
95-96 Bettane & Desseauve (April 2017)
16-17/20 Revue des Vins de France (April 2017)
18/20 René Gabriel – WeinWisser (April 2017)
94 of 17/20 Jean-Marc Quarin – quarin.com (April 2017)
17/20 Jacques Dupont – Le Point (April 2017)
94 Markus Del Monego (April 2017)
17,5/20 Terre des Vins (April 2017)
18,5/20 Le Figaro Vin (April 2017)
Lagrange (Saint Julien)Lagrange in Saint Julien is de grootste Grand Cru Classé in oppervlakte. De Japanse drankengroep Suntory kocht het in 1983 en breidde de oppervlakte uit van 57 naar zomaar eventjes 117 hectare (waarvan 4 hectare witte druiven). Het terroir bestaat uit twee hellingen van diepe Graves garonnaises met ijzerhoudend klei. De percelen die zij aanplantten in 1985 komen nu op volledige maturiteit. De rode cépages zijn verdeeld onder 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot en 5% Petit Verdot. De productie wordt doorgaans opgesplitst in twee helften tussen Grand Vin en de heerlijke en dus populaire tweede wijn, Les Fiefs de Lagrange. Matthieu Bordes en Keiichi Shiina beheren Lagrange met Eric Boissenot als consulent. U kan het van mij aannemen dat niet gesold wordt met reputatie of klantentevredenheid met Japanners aan het roer. Lagrange bestond onder diverse benamingen sinds de Middeleeuwen en was ooit eigendom van de Baron de Brane zoals Brane Cantenac en Mouton.
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