Château Lagrange 2023 — Professional Ratings Overview
The 2023 vintage of Château Lagrange (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) has been widely reviewed as a refined, balanced, and classically styled Left Bank wine, showing strong consistency across major critics.
Key critic scores (major publications)
- James Suckling: 94–95 points
- Jeb Dunnuck: 93–95+ points
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous): 92–95 points
- Neal Martin (Vinous): 91–93 points
- Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): 95 points
- William Kelley (Wine Advocate): 95 points
- Decanter: 95 points (barrel sample)
- Falstaff: 92 points
- Lay & Wheeler aggregated tasting: ~93.5/100
Aggregate quality range
Across professional critics, Château Lagrange 2023 generally falls in the range of:
Approximately 92 to 95+ points
This places it firmly in the upper tier of Third Growth Saint-Julien wines, with some assessments approaching Second Growth quality in strong vintages.
Tasting profile consensus
Aromas
- Blackcurrant and cassis
- Blackberry and dark plum
- Cedar, graphite, violets
- Tobacco, spice, and subtle oak influence
Palate
- Medium to full-bodied structure
- Fine, polished tannins
- Bright acidity typical of the 2023 vintage
- Core of pure dark fruit with mineral lift
Common critic descriptors
- Elegant
- Pure and seamless
- Refined tannic structure
- Classic Saint-Julien
- Balanced and harmonious
Critical interpretation
Consensus positives
- One of the most consistent recent vintages of Château Lagrange
- Strong Cabernet Sauvignon backbone
- Emphasis on finesse and balance rather than power
Minor reservations noted by some critics
- Aromatically restrained in its youth
- Less opulent than some benchmark recent vintages
- Needs time in bottle to fully express itself
Cellaring window
- Drink window: approximately 2028–2048
- Optimal maturity: roughly 2035–2045
Bottom line
Château Lagrange 2023 is considered a high-quality Saint-Julien showing strong balance, precision, and classic structure. It is widely rated in the mid-90s by top critics and is best suited to medium- to long-term cellaring rather than early drinking.
95pts Jane Anson
This is very much in the character of Lagrange over the past few years, showing precision and confidence in its construction, finessed and elegant, with St Julien balance and reserved power. Will absolutely deliver for fans of classical Left Bank Bordeaux with its slate tannins, savoury Cabernet black and blue fruits, fresh leaf tea, tobacco, raspberry leaf, spiced sage and lusicous mouthwatering signoff. 51hl/ha yield.
95pts Decanter
Another great vintage from Lagrange. Strongly scented, lots of Cabernet markers, liquorice, toast, cedar, tobacco, some dark chocolate and dark bramble fruit - blackcurrants and blueberries with perfumed accents too. Smooth and supple, almost velvety on the palate, this has a thickness of fine tannins, and plump fruit with a great juiciness. A touch of bitterness on the finish - some iodine notes, oyster shell salinity and some oak toast. I like the plump, almost fleshy aspect, balancing the acidity with a hint of sweetness.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck
A serious and impeccably made wine, the 2023 Château Lagrange is cut from the same cloth as the Les Fiefs yet has more of everything. Pure crème de cassis, graphite, spicy wood, and assorted floral nuances all shine on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, graceful mouthfeel and polished tannins. Based on 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot and aged 21 months in 50% new barrels with the balance in second-fill oak, this is a classic, beautifully done Saint-Julien that will keep for 20-30 years. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. Drink 2029-2056.
94-95pts James Suckling
This is tight but has creamy, round tannins and a juicy character. Blackberries, chocolate and spices on the medium-bodied palate. Chewy and polished.
93-95pts Wine Advocate
A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2023 Lagrange offers up aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with good depth, supple tannins and a suave, vibrant profile, it's attractively seamless and complete.
93-95pts Jeb Dunnuck
I was able to taste the 2023 Château Lagrange on two separate occasions, and it showed beautifully both times. Deep ruby/purple-hued with a gorgeous yet reserved perfume of cassis, graphite, violets, and spicy oak, it hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless mouthfeel that carries flawlessly integrated tannins and acidity. It plays in the fresher, elegant style of the vintage yet has so much to love with its purity, balance, and elegance.
92-95pts Vinous
The 2023 Lagrange is bright, punchy and full of character. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol, licorice and rose petal lend exuberance and freshness to this mid-weight Saint-Julien. Readers will find a wine of total class and sophistication. In a word: terrific.
-Antonio Galloni
92-94pts The Wine Independent
The 2023 Lagrange is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of red cherries, cassis, and blueberry jump from the glass, followed by hints of violets, graphite, and moss-covered tree bark with a touch of cloves. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant, with a lively line of acidity and ripe fine-grained tannins framing the delicate black and red fruit flavors, finishing with a savory lift. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, with pH 3.47.
91-93pts Vinous
The 2023 Lagrange contains no Petit Verdot this year. Matured in 60% new oak, the aromatics demand a bit of coaxing in the glass, eventually revealing blackberry and cedar aromas and just a touch of graphite, quite strict and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins on the entry, ensuring that this will be an approachable Lagrange. Pure-fruited and gently grippy, there is admirable depth to this Saint-Julien, revealing just a hint of brine towards the saline finish. This is a "solid" wine, if perhaps without the flair of the 2022. It will require four or five years in bottle but should drink well for the next 20 years or more.
- Neal Martin
Winemaker's Notes
Blackcurrant and black cherry notes with spicy and smoky nuances. Over the years, it also develops notes of cedar, licorice and even tobacco, typical of the great wines of Saint-Julien.
History
Grapes have been grown at Chateau Lagrange, St.-Julien, for over 600 years. Third Growth in the Classification of 1855, its vineyard stretches over two Gunzian gravel slopes where the highest point of Saint-Julien thrones on the beautiful estate. It was acquired in 1983 by Suntory, the family Japanese wine and spirits conglomerate, which has spared no effort or expense in extensively replanting and renovating the estate. The property is planted with 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. An uncompromising quest for excellence, such is the philosophy here. For several decades now the exceptional terroir has inspired a unique approach where precision and innovation are paramount. Today, Chateau Lagrange is under the direction of winemaker Matthieu Bordes since 2013.
