Lagrange (St Julien) 2003

St Julien, Third Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
12	75cl Bottle	Case 12	£625 per Case	Case	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
The earliest vintage since 1989, with picking beginning on September 11 through to 25. Cigar box, clove and turmeric spice on the nose. The lower natural acidity is replaced by an oyster shell salinity, and although the fruit has faded a little, it is still mouthwatering and ready for sharing. 48% 1st wine in this vintage. 3.6ph. Eric Boissenot consultant. Score: 90 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2022-2032 23 March 2022
The 2003 Lagrange was an early vintage picked from 11 to 24 September, the second earlier ever. For a 2003 it has an attractive bouquet with red cherry, cranberry, fig confit and dates, perhaps lacking typicity but there is nothing overblown. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and rounded with light spicy notes, though it runs out of ideas towards a rather monotone finish. Nevertheless, it is not bad for the vintage. The alcohol was kept to 13% thanks to early picking. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate. Score: 88 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2028 01 December 2020
Red-ruby. Currant, leather and tobacco on the nose. Sweet, dense and thick, with considerable power for Lagrange. Ripe note of dark chocolate. I would have scored this higher but for a slight dry spot in the middle palate that carried through on the aftertaste. My bottle may not have been representative. Score: 89 Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2006
Good red-ruby. Captivating aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, cedar, coffee and mocha. Sweet, silky and lush, but given shape by firm underlying minerality. Wonderfully round wine with palate-saturating flavor. Finishes with major toothcoating tannins. This is developing very well in barrel. Score: 89 - 92 Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2005
(a blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 10% petit verdot) Medium red-ruby. Medicinal, grapey aromas of black cherry and mint; cool but ripe. Then firm and moderately sweet in the mouth, with dark fruit flavors complicated by notes of dark chocolate, herbs and mint. Finishes with strong tannins that reach the front teeth, and lingering sweetness. Ducasse says that elevage will bring more length to this wine, which is currently a bit youthfully clenched. Score: 87 - 90 Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2004
Dense purple in color and surprisingly open-knit and velvety textured, the full-bodied, fleshy, succulently styled 2003 Lagrange is more accessible than most Northern Medocs. With low acidity, silky tannin, and loads of chocolatey black currant and cherry fruit as well as nicely integrated, toasty oak, this sensual wine should drink beautifully in 2-3 years and last for 15-18. Score: 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2024 30 April 2006
Dark ruby/purple-colored with a nose of charcoal smoke intermixed with black currants, cherries, and toasty new oak, the 2003 Lagrange hits the palate with an expansive, fleshy mouthfeel, copious glycerin, and some unusual notes of road tar. The finish offers a hint of the scorching summer heat in the warm, alcoholic afterglow. This relatively deep, concentrated wine has low acidity and, unlike more recent Lagranges, should be drinkable several months after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. Score: 90 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2018 30 April 2005
This fruity, floral, fragrant Lagrange reveals less oak than usual. Medium-bodied and spicy, with excellent depth, and a fleshy, round mouthfeel, it is a richly fruity, forward, deep example that will undoubtedly firm up as it evolves in barrel and bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. Score: 89 - 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2018 30 April 2004

Tasting Notes

The earliest vintage since 1989, with picking beginning on September 11 through to 25. Cigar box, clove and turmeric spice on the nose. The lower natural acidity is replaced by an oyster shell salinity, and although the fruit has faded a little, it is still mouthwatering and ready for sharing. 48% 1st wine in this vintage. 3.6ph. Eric Boissenot consultant.

Score: 90

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2022-2032 23 March 2022

The 2003 Lagrange was an early vintage picked from 11 to 24 September, the second earlier ever. For a 2003 it has an attractive bouquet with red cherry, cranberry, fig confit and dates, perhaps lacking typicity but there is nothing overblown. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and rounded with light spicy notes, though it runs out of ideas towards a rather monotone finish. Nevertheless, it is not bad for the vintage. The alcohol was kept to 13% thanks to early picking. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate.

Score: 88

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2028 01 December 2020

Red-ruby. Currant, leather and tobacco on the nose. Sweet, dense and thick, with considerable power for Lagrange. Ripe note of dark chocolate. I would have scored this higher but for a slight dry spot in the middle palate that carried through on the aftertaste. My bottle may not have been representative.

Score: 89

Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2006

Good red-ruby. Captivating aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, cedar, coffee and mocha. Sweet, silky and lush, but given shape by firm underlying minerality. Wonderfully round wine with palate-saturating flavor. Finishes with major toothcoating tannins. This is developing very well in barrel.

Score: 89 - 92

Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2005

(a blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 10% petit verdot) Medium red-ruby. Medicinal, grapey aromas of black cherry and mint; cool but ripe. Then firm and moderately sweet in the mouth, with dark fruit flavors complicated by notes of dark chocolate, herbs and mint. Finishes with strong tannins that reach the front teeth, and lingering sweetness. Ducasse says that elevage will bring more length to this wine, which is currently a bit youthfully clenched.

Score: 87 - 90

Stephen Tanzer, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2004

Dense purple in color and surprisingly open-knit and velvety textured, the full-bodied, fleshy, succulently styled 2003 Lagrange is more accessible than most Northern Medocs. With low acidity, silky tannin, and loads of chocolatey black currant and cherry fruit as well as nicely integrated, toasty oak, this sensual wine should drink beautifully in 2-3 years and last for 15-18.

Score: 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2024 30 April 2006

Dark ruby/purple-colored with a nose of charcoal smoke intermixed with black currants, cherries, and toasty new oak, the 2003 Lagrange hits the palate with an expansive, fleshy mouthfeel, copious glycerin, and some unusual notes of road tar. The finish offers a hint of the scorching summer heat in the warm, alcoholic afterglow. This relatively deep, concentrated wine has low acidity and, unlike more recent Lagranges, should be drinkable several months after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2018 30 April 2005

This fruity, floral, fragrant Lagrange reveals less oak than usual. Medium-bodied and spicy, with excellent depth, and a fleshy, round mouthfeel, it is a richly fruity, forward, deep example that will undoubtedly firm up as it evolves in barrel and bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

Score: 89 - 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2018 30 April 2004

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