Château Lagrange 2001

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Château Lagrange 2001

Tasting

Colour
This wine displays a dense, deep colour with purple and crimson hues, while revealing subtle tawny highlights at the rim, a sign of its graceful evolution.

Nose
The bouquet is remarkably pure and fruit-driven, exuding aromas of black cherry accompanied by spicy and aniseed notes. The whole is enriched by touches of chocolate and cigar box, along with light smoky and woody wafts.

Palate
The attack is ample and reveals a lively, harmonious balance. The mid-palate, marked by flavours of small black fruits and chocolate, is supported by ripe, firm tannins. The oak remains elegant without dominating, leading to a long finish with hints of clove and sweet spices.

Food and Wine Pairing
This great red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or grilled red meats, such as rack of lamb or roast beef. It also enhances full-flavoured poultry, feathered game and aged hard cheeses. Finally, it can elegantly accompany Japanese-inspired dishes, such as wagyu beef.

Serving and Cellaring
Château Lagrange 2001 has excellent ageing potential. It is advisable to decant it gently before serving to aerate it softly. It should be enjoyed until 2024 at the very least.

The Classic Elegance of a Great Saint-Julien from Château Lagrange

The Estate
Located in the famous Bordeaux region, Château Lagrange has a rich history, the modern era of which began with its creation in 1842 by Count Duchâtel. This Third Growth of the 1855 Classification has established itself as an essential name in its appellation. Purchased in 1983 by the Japanese group Suntory, its current owner, the estate is now managed by Matthieu Bordes. The property stands out for its vast, single-block terroir, unchanged since 1855, and for its values focused on excellence, precision and respect for biodiversity.

The Vineyard
This exceptional terroir lies at the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation. It extends over superb gravel mounds of Günzian origin, resting on a clay-limestone subsoil. The vines, with an average age of around forty years, benefit from a high planting density to promote the concentration of the grapes. The estate is managed according to a rigorous agroecological approach, including the preservation of wetlands, the planting of hedgerows and minimal tillage in order to stimulate biodiversity.

The Vintage
The year began with early budburst. From May onwards, mild weather set in, allowing a rapid and even flowering, although veraison proved more irregular. Summer brought warm days contrasting with cool nights. Finally, the superb weather conditions in September ensured optimal ripening of the berries, leading to a serene harvest between 3 and 11 October.

Vinification and Ageing
The grapes are hand-harvested and then meticulously sorted. The vinification of Château Lagrange 2001 was carried out parcel by parcel in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with temperatures maintained between 26 and 28 °C. Co-inoculation was carried out for the malolactic fermentation. The ageing of this vintage lasted approximately twenty-one months in barrels, with a high proportion of new oak (around 80%), followed by traditional fining with fresh egg white.

Grape Varieties
62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot