2005 Lagrange, St-Julien (1.5L)

SKU #1039007 96 points James Suckling

Stunning now. A fabulous nose of currants, crushed raspberry and blackberry. Full- bodied, with perfectly integrated tannins and a long, caressing finish. (7/2014)

94 points Wine & Spirits

Lagrange produced a joyous Cabernet in 2005, with the lovely textural fatness and kindness of tannin that places it clearly in St-Julien. The dark fruit has youthful energy, the tannins a woodsy undertone, like biting into a fresh grilled porcini. The purity of the flavor makes it delicious; that fruit purity is the factor distinguishing the best wines of the vintage. In the case of Lagrange, it will make the wine approachable through the course of a long life; though if you find pleasure in the details, wait on this until it's at least ten years old and check on it at twenty. (10/2008)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

The tannins dominate this dark, brooding wine. At this stage, it seems to have closed up, leaving the fruit and acidity buried. But with this concentration, the future looks promising. There is long aging potential here. (6/2008)

93 points Wine Spectator

Currant, mineral, plum and light toasty oak follow through to a full body, with ultrasilky tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is thoroughly beautiful. Superbalanced and very pretty. Best after 2011. (3/2008)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Medium red-ruby. Reticent but sweet nose offers plum, black cherry, minerals and bitter chocolate. Thick and powerful but with excellent vinosity and sweetness as well as a slightly exotic character to the red fruit and spice flavors. Deep, slow-mounting wine that builds impressively on the back end. The tannins here make those of the 2006 seem a bit rigid by comparison. I was struck by the thought that Lagrange has done consistently well in the last three vintages, and that each effort is an accurate reflection of its year. (5/2008)

Jancis Robinson

Dark crimson. Scented, mineral nose. Really quite aromatic. Lively and relatively light but with excellent tannins and life to it. Not an extreme 2005 but a wine with the concentrated dryness of the vintage. Solid. Impossible to imagine drinking this without food! (1/2015)

K&L Notes

Chateau Lagrange is a 3rd Growth St. Julien owned by the Suntory group and comprising of 270 acres situated next to Gruaud Larose. The estate went through major improvements and huge investments through the 80s 90s and 2000s and now shows the amazing resurrection of the estate into the producer it always had potential to be.