For the grand vin of Lagrange, grapes are hand-picked into small crates and then sorted both manually and by an optical sorting machine. Traditional Bordeaux vinification is carried out in 92 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats of varying capacities, thus allowing a separate vinification to respect the character of each plot and soil-type. Placing all or part of a given plot into its own vat also allows harvest at optimum ripeness.

Total vatting time, determined by tasting, varies from 16 to 28 days, depending on the tannic development in the fermenting wines. Temperature of fermentation never exceeds 28°C to guarantee preservation of the finesse and fruitiness. Selection of press wine is performed “barrel by barrel“ allowing a wider choice range during the blend tastings.

The wines are blended only a few months after harvest, to achieve a better harmonization of the tannins and plot origins. The wines are aged 20 months in French oak barrels, of which 60% are new, and racked every 3 months.

The 2023 Lagrange St Julien Bordeaux Blend is a distinguished red wine from the Bordeaux region of France, specifically from St Julien. Produced by Lagrange, this wine is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. The wine is sealed with a traditional cork closure.

James Suckling awarded the 2023 Lagrange an impressive 95 points, describing it as “tight but has creamy, round tannins and a juicy character. Blackberries, chocolate and spices on the medium-bodied palate. Chewy and polished" (jamessuckling.com).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through William Kelley, also gave it a 95-point score (93-95 points), noting that it “offers up aromas of dark berries, plums, and cherries mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with good depth, supple tannins, and a suave, vibrant profile, it's attractively seamless and complete” (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).

Vinous, represented by Neal Martin, gave the wine 93 points (91-93 points), highlighting its maturation in 60% new oak and the absence of Petit Verdot this year. Martin remarked, “The aromatics demand a bit of coaxing in the glass, eventually revealing blackberry and cedar aromas and just a touch of graphite, quite strict and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins on the entry, ensuring that this will be an approachable Lagrange” (Vinous).

Jane Anson also awarded it 95 points, emphasizing its precision and elegance: “This is very much in the character of Lagrange over the past few years, showing precision and confidence in its construction, finessed and elegant, with St Julien balance and reserved power” (janeanson.com).

Jeff Leve, giving it 93 points (91-93 points), noted its “black cherries, black currants, flowers, and mint blend perfectly in the nose and on the medium-bodied, fresh, energetic, bright, chewy palate” (TheWineCellarInsider.com).

Jeb Dunnuck praised it highly with 95 points (93-95+ points), describing it as “Deep ruby/purple-hued with a gorgeous yet reserved perfume of cassis, graphite, violets, and spicy oak” (jebdunnuck.com).

The Wine Independent, represented by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, gave it 94 points (92-94 points), describing it as “deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of red cherries, cassis, and blueberry jump from the glass, followed by hints of violets, graphite, and moss-covered tree bark with a touch of cloves” (The Wine Independent).

Lastly, Decanter also awarded 95 points, noting the wine’s “strongly scented, lots of Cabernet markers, liquorice, toast, cedar, tobacco, some dark chocolate and dark bramble fruit - blackcurrants and blueberries with perfumed accents too” (Decanter).

The 2023 Lagrange St Julien Bordeaux Blend stands out for its balance, depth, and finesse, promising to be a delight for fans of classical Left Bank Bordeaux.