Château LAGRANGE 2003
Château Lagrange, a Third Growth Classified in Saint-Julien, is located on a terroir of deep gravel with exemplary drainage. Since the qualitative revival initiated in the 1980s, the estate has produced wines of classic Médoc precision, combining straightforwardness, body, and length. The plot-by-plot work, meticulous harvesting, and finely measured aging guarantee a clear interpretation of the vintage.
The 2003 vintage bears the imprint of the scorching summer: high ripeness, thick skins, and rich tannins. Rigorous plot selection, controlled extraction, and aging for approximately 18 months in French oak barrels with a significant proportion of new wood have polished the material without marking it. The blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot, delivers a full-bodied and sunny Saint-Julien.
The nose opens with blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, complemented by fig, licorice, cedar, and a fine blond tobacco. The palate is full and velvety, structured by ripe, tightly grained tannins. The generous mid-palate remains balanced by a Médoc freshness that extends the finish. This, long and spicy, evokes cocoa, mocha, and cigar box, with a touch of graphite typical of Graves.
Recommended pairings: aged prime rib, roast duck breast, hare stew, or pan-fried porcini mushrooms. Serve at 17–18°C, decanting for 1 to 2 hours is recommended to reveal all the complexity.
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
