Domaine du Château Lagrange: a quality vineyard in the heart of the Médoc
Saint-Julien, the smallest of the Médoc’s four appellations, accounts for just 6% of the terroir, but boasts an exceptional concentration of crus classés (85% of the vineyard), making it without doubt the heart of the Médoc. Within this appellation, Château Lagrange is a benchmark. Its first vines were planted in the early 16th century, and it was classified in 1855. It extends over 118 hectares in a single block, unchanged since that time.
Its location, set back from the Gironde estuary, on two gravelly ridges, one of which is at the highest point of the appellation, offers a wide temperature range that favors the development of tannins. Backed by four centuries of Médoc history and driven by the uncompromising quality vision of its Japanese owners since 1983, Château Lagrange has combined tradition and innovation to express its terroir, unchanged since 1855, with the utmost precision. Each plot and each vintage is nurtured at its very best to produce expressive, harmonious wines of the highest quality.
Les Fiefs de Lagrange, created in 1983 to enhance the quality of the Grand Vin through a more drastic selection process, is now a benchmark in its field. Made from vines that are an average of 30 years old, half of which are Cabernet Sauvignon, it is aged for thirteen months in barrels, 20% of which are new. It is characterized by supple tannins and offers definite ageing potential. Of pure elegance in its youth, it gains in depth and intensity with age, its red fruit notes enhanced by spices evolving with great finesse, as does its texture.
The 2018 vintage was an exceptional one, with total rainfall higher than the average for the last twenty years, mainly due to precipitation in the first half of the year. Average annual temperatures were among the highest ever recorded at the estate’s weather station. Flowering went perfectly well, and summer 2018 was among the hottest and driest since 1996.
The Château Lagrange blend comprises 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The crimson color reveals aromas of red fruits and spices. The racy tannins are already well-integrated, giving the wine almost immediate accessibility, as well as remarkable ageing potential. The average age of the vines is 28 years, with a planting density ranging from 8,700 to 10,000 vines per hectare. Harvesting is manual, with a first sorting by hand and a second by optical camera.
Vinification is carried out by plot selection.
with 102 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for 103 vineyard plots. Tank capacities range from 36 to 220 hectolitres, and batches are classified according to grape variety, vine age, terroir and grape maturity. Vinification takes place at 26-28°C for 18 to 25 days, with moderate daily pumping-over, délestage or pigeage. Malolactic fermentation is carried out by co-inoculation.
Château Lagrange is aged for 14 months, with early blending of the 20 grape varieties, followed by a further month for the final batch before bottling. The average retail price of the wine is 31 euros.
Château Lagrange is a prestigious winegrowing estate that combines tradition and innovation to produce top-quality wines. Thanks to an exceptional terroir and meticulous grape selection, Château Lagrange offers expressive, harmonious wines of great finesse, appreciated by wine lovers the world over.
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