Chateau Lagrange, Saint Julien 2020 - OWC of 12 bottles x 75cl

"Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Lagrange leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, ripe blackcurrants and minted blackberries, followed by nuances of dark chocolate, star anise and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is both super intense and super elegant, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness to frame the bright, crunchy black and red fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. Drink: 2025-2050."

The Wine Advocate 94-96

Chateau Lagrange started out life as Maison Noble de Lagrange Monteil as far back as  1631. During the 18th century, the picturesque estate was the property of Baron de Brane and the wines were sold as Baron St. Julien. 

Chateau Lagrange become well-known for producing wine in 1842 when the owner, Count Duchatel added a drainage system in the vineyard that helped improve the wine immensely. 

Deep in debt, the owners began breaking up the estate, selling portions of their vineyard to downsize from its massive 280 hectares to a manageable 157 hectares. 

In 1970, 32 hectares were sold to Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou. Other parcels were sold to Henri Martin for use in Chateau Gloria. By 1983, the remaining holdings of Lagrange were purchased by the large, Japanese company, Suntory from the Cendoya family, who had owned Chateau Lagrange since 1925.

Suntory brought the funds needed to renovate the wine-making facilities and replant the vineyards, they spent massive sums of money to modernize the wine-making facilities and replant the vineyards. 

Under the direction of Marcel Ducasse, the director of Chateau Lagrange from 1993 to 2007, the vineyard expanded from 48 planted hectares to 138 planted hectares. The vine density was also increased as more than 100,000 new vines were added to the vineyard. In 1985, the new owners also began producing a second wine, Les Fief de Lagrange.

Chateau Lagrange made numerous improvements and underwent extensive renovations again that included modernizing their entire wine-making facilities and cellars in 2013. All the effort and investment expended by Suntory has allowed Chateau Lagrange to produce a much better wine today. The massive 182-hectare estate of Chateau Lagrange has 118 hectares under vine. The vineyard is planted to 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot.