Ch Lagrange St Julien - 3eme Grand Cru Classe 2020 (750ml)

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Producer	Ch Lagrange St Julien
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Saint-Julien
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot,  Petit Verdot
Vintage	2020
Sku	38623
Size	750ml

 

JD

95

JR

16.5

JS

94

V

94

2020, a unique year in so many ways, will forever remain in our memories. Our work routines were upset by the pandemic and our capacity to adapt to the situation, and stay on track, was essential both for the property and the staff. As in 2019, we had record annual rainfall. The mild winter provoked an early budburst and this advance continued right through to the harvest. The grapes were small, with skins rich in polyphenols. The Merlots are magnificent, boasting an opulence accentuated by the historically low yields. The decision was made to stop for 4 days before picking the Cabernets, to allow the tannins and aromas to develop to perfection : this variety brings power, freshness and length to the wines.

The 2020 is a vintage of contrasts, a vine grower’s vintage. We harvested the smallest crop in 30 years. The extraordinary freshness in this wine, produced in the hottest vintage in modern history, is real proof of the buffer effect of our terroir. The precision of the fruit transpires, with lovely notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and liquorice. The tense tannic structure is reminiscent of the great 2010, with a more creamy, smoother mid-palate. A truly classic vintage that will be enjoyable earlier yet maintain a remarkable aging potential. A focused, finely tuned, expressive wine showing great purity.

Coming from depressingly low yields of just 26 hectoliters per hectare (the lowest since 1991), the 2020 Château Lagrange checks in as 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot that was raised in 60% new French oak. It's a gorgeous, complete Saint-Julien offering remarkable purity in its cassis, violets, chocolate, and leafy tobacco-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with terrific balance, a pure, focused mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and beautifully integrated oak, it's going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise over the following 2+ decades in cold cellars.

Attractive nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, walnuts, ink and kaffir leaves. It’s medium- to full-bodied, firm and structured, with chewy and tight tannins. Dark and intense, with a long and persistent finish. Turns to graphite and cedar. Needs time to open and soften. Try from 2026.

The 2020 Lagrange is the smallest production ever since each vine bestowed 4.2 bunches instead of 7 bunches per vines, plus the berries were small, ergo yield was just 26hL/ha. That's less than 2017 when they suffered frost! This year represents 38% of the crop. It has a delightful, precise bouquet, delineated with minerally black fruit, touches of sous-bois and a subtle marine/oyster shell influence. The palate is detailed and mineral-driven, very pure and harmonious, a mélange of red and black fruit, silky smooth with impressive depth. This is a quintessential Lagrange, very seductive and I bet it will be under-estimated by some people. 

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Fragrant and slightly leafy aroma of black fruit. Leafy on the palate, too, just a little bit pinched in the middle but fresh. Tannins are a little dry given the amount of fruit in the middle. Slightly tart on the finish. (JH)