The 1999 Lagrange has one of the highest percentages of petit verdot in the grand vin, as seventeen percent of the varietal was utilized for the final blend (along with fifty-eight percent cabernet sauvignon and twenty-five percent merlot). Ironically, the result is a wine where the cabernet sauvignon character really dominates on both the nose and palate, as the wine offers up a youthful nose of black cherries, adolescent weedy tones, tobacco leaf, a lovely base of soil and again, just a touch of toasty oak. As 1998 and 1999 were the first two years where a high percentage of the wine underwent malo in barrel, I have to wonder if this slightly more marked impression of new oak is a result of the cellar team getting comfortable with the technique. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, young and evolving gracefully, with moderate tannins, good mid-palate depth and good length and grip on the finish. This will be lovely, and will drink a few years earlier than the 1998.

Tasted at the 1999 horizontal at Bordeaux Index. A deep black hue. The nose is reticent at first but builds nicely to reveal blackberry, black pepper, leather, earth and mint. The palate is medium-bodied, good weight and vigour, an attractive sense of tension and vivacity missing in some of the other Saint Juliens. Sappy red-berried fruit towards the finish. Nice grainy texture. Very fine. Drink now-2022. Tasted June 2009.

An expansive perfume of black fruits intermixed with smoke Asian spices and licorice jumps from this dark dense ruby/purple-colored wine. The tannin is sweet the acidity low the finish persistent and the overall impression one of fatness and opulence. It will be ready to drink upon release. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015.