2019 Chateau Lagrange Les Fiefs de Lagrange 750ml

Overview

Les Fiefs de Lagrange is the second wine of Château Lagrange in Saint-Julien, created in 1983 to offer an earlier-drinking expression of the estate while retaining the depth, structure and character of its terroir. The 2019 combines Cabernet Sauvignon-led structure with generous Merlot fruit, showing black and red berries, spice, freshness and a smooth, creamy palate.

Vintage

The 2019 season was marked by strong contrasts, with a cool, wet spring followed by a hot, dry summer and record sunshine. It produced the longest harvest in the estate’s history, while berry weights were the lowest recorded at Lagrange in 36 years. Careful timing of the Cabernet harvest allowed the fruit to reach full phenolic maturity, resulting in some of the richest grapes of the estate’s modern era.

Vineyard

The Château Lagrange vineyard lies entirely within Saint-Julien and comprises 118 hectares of red vines in a single block across two gravel rises. The soils combine gravelly topsoil with clay-limestone subsoil. The vines average approximately 28 years of age, with planting densities ranging from 8,700 to 10,000 vines per hectare.

Winemaking

The 2019 blend comprises 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Grapes were hand harvested between 18 September and 14 October, followed by manual sorting and a second optical sorting berry by berry.

Vinification was carried out parcel by parcel in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 26–28°C for 18 to 25 days. Extraction was managed through moderate daily pump-overs, délestage or punch-downs according to each lot. Malolactic fermentation was carried out by co-inoculation.

The varieties were blended in January before 13 months of maturation, with 20% new barrels. A final blending took place before bottling.

Producer Tasting Notes

Aroma
A subtle combination of black and red fruits lifted by spicy notes.

Palate
Generous, creamy and smooth, with refreshing acidity bringing balance and early approachability. Despite its immediate charm, the wine has the structure and depth to develop further in bottle.

Critic Reviews

91/100 — Falstaff
“Hints of cedar, fine herbal savouriness… Medium complexity, red cherries, vivid tannins, mineral on the finish.”
Tasted February 2022

91/100 — Andreas Larsson
“Youthful nose offering violet, freshly crushed berries, darker fruit notes with cassis and dark plum… polished tannin, fresh and digest.”
Tasted March 2021

James Suckling
“Really clear aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries with dried flowers and sandalwood… very tight, refined tannins that run the length of the finish.”
Tasted January 2022

90/100 — Decanter
Tasted January 2022

Specifications

• Vintage: 2019
• Producer: Chateau Lagrange
• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux, Médoc
• Appellation: Saint-Julien
• Wine: Second Wine of Château Lagrange
• Grape Varieties: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
• Average Vine Age: 28 years
• Harvest: Hand harvested, 18 September–14 October 2019
• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled stainless steel, 26–28°C for 18–25 days
• Malolactic Fermentation: Co-inoculation
• Maturation: 13 months
• New Oak: 20%
• Alcohol: 14.0%
• Drinking Window: 2022–2040