2021 Château Lagrange

Showing better from bottle than barrels, the 2021 Château Lagrange has a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with a gorgeous nose of blackcurrants, violets, chalky minerality, and graphite. It's rich, medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's a seriously impressive, layered, concentrated 2021 with tons to love. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 50% new barrels. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.

Winemaker Matthieu Bordes was the only one to mention that he had to conduct some reverse osmosis (mainly on the Merlot) for the 2021 Lagrange. The wine was bottled last July. It has a classically styled nose, certainly not as complex as in more benevolent seasons, lighter and slightly leafier in style. The palate is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with fine tannins and a little chalkiness toward the finish. I would drink this over the next 10 to 15 years.

The 2021 Lagrange turned out beautifully. Succulent red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, spice and mocha infuse the 2021 with gorgeous depth. Soft, succulent and inviting, Lagrange is wonderfully appealing. It will drink well with minimal cellaring.