Lagrange St-Julien 2000

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2000 vintage of Lagrange is one of the most powerfully built that I have tasted from the Suntory era, and it will take many years for this deep and classy wine to reach its apogee. I very much like the cool fruit tones of the 2000 on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine, reserved blend of cassis, bell pepper, espresso, black cherries, a bit of youthful horsiness, an impressive base of soil tones, tobacco leaf and a very vague impression of new oak buried somewhere in the aromatic depths of the wine. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and very young, with a rock solid structure, ripe tannins, good acids and excellent focus and grip on the very long, palate-staining and chewy finish. While the 2005’s great tangy acids will carry the wine far into the future, the 2000 vintage gets my vote for the potentially longest-lived wine that this property has yet produced since the changeover in 1983. Most promising. 2022-2080."

94 points Neal Martin (Wine Journal): "Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. There is a lot of ripeness on the nose with small black cherries, pomegranate, a touch of leather, pencil shavings and allspice. The palate is full-bodied and tight, with dense, chewy tannins, great purity, gentle grip with superb clarity and poise towards the finish. Excellent length, touch of white pepper sprinkled over poised finish. It may not have the recherche of other Saint Julien, but it offers outstanding value for money. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted March 2010."

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot). Deep ruby red in colour at 22 years old. Tertiary notes on the palate, woodsmoke, ash, smoked earth. There are fruits here but they are gentle, the emphasis is on spice and smoke. Rosebud, jasmine, concentrated damson, absolutely ready to drink at this point, the tannins are still very present but they have a succulent and gentle feel. 50% new oak. Lowest percentage ever of overall production, 34% 1st wine, with an unusual blend for the time with high Cabernet Sauvignon, so a window into the kind of blend that they have today. Jacques and Eric Boissenot consultants. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2022-2040. (2/18/22)"

94 points (17/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2006).

'Top 100 Wine of 2003 (#25)' and 93 points Wine Spectator: "Extremely well-done. Beautifully aromatic, with coffee, cedar and blackberries on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a mineral, blackberry aftertaste with medium fine tannins. I haven't had a Lagrange of this quality in years. Best after 2010. 93 points."

93 points Robert Parker: "An impressive performance by Lagrange, the 2000 possesses a saturated ruby/purple color with obvious notes of melted licorice, creme de cassis, and toasty new oak. This ripe, dense, full-bodied St.-Julien is chewy, thick, high in tannin, large-bodied, and impressively long and dense. As always, it is less expressive than some of its peers, but it is loaded as well as reasonably priced. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. (Apr 2003)"

93 points James Suckling: "A wine that is just starting to wake up after a long sleep. It’s medium-to-full-bodied, with super-integrated tannins and a lead-pencil, currant and berry character. Lemon peel undertones. Lovely silky texture. Drink now and beyond. (6/30/13)"