Lagrange St-Julien 2005

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. Drink or hold. (7/23/14)"

95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lots of red and black fruits, tobacco, saddle leather, and a kiss of iron all emerge from the 2005 Château Lagrange, a beautiful Saint-Julien that has polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. I love its overall purity, as well as its complexity, and it’s in the early stages of its prime drinking window with another 15-20 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Drink: 2024-2044. (4/6/24)"

95 points (17.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2008).

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot). Balanced, classic, fine tannins, stretched out through the palate, delicate and finessed. Not as powerful as some 2005s right now but one to recommend for opening and drinking. Rose petals, blond tobacco, freshly cured leather, wild strawberries, gentle hedgerow and earthy acidity. A lovely surprise, a lesson in understated, unfussy, elegant claret. More evolved than some, but this is where I feel good 2005s will end - a delightful fine, easy to drink and utterly moreish glass of wine. 60% new oak, 43% 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2040. (6/24/22)"

94 points / 'Enthusiast 100 of 2008', 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 a long aging potential here. (Jun 2008)"

94 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "A large estate in the western reaches of the appellation, Lagrange nevertheless has a track record of consistency and St Julien typicity. This vintage, aged fifteen years, shows obvious maturity in the glass, with a deep mahogany tinge to its core, and an oxblood rim. Aromatically it is all macerated red cherry, with appealing evolution which suggests tobacco leaf, black tea leaves, cigar box and star anise. It feels a little lean at the start of the palate, with plenty of acid coming forward here, adding a tight frame to the wine, and through the middle it has only a rather supple layer of evolved and complex fruit. Despite this rather lean presence there is still a wealth of tannin here, fortunately with a rich, polished, velvety and tightly knit facade which reflects the success of the vintage. It feels beautifully integrated, its soft charm very persistent, right through to a lightly gripped finish, and good length. It finishes up with more substance and character than is suggested by its character at the start. This seems to have developed significantly since my last tasting, five years ago. Drink or hold, but I would lean towards the former. The declared alcohol is 13%. (Aug 2021)"

94 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "Great power, very meticulous definition of the terroir, impeccable finish. This is the work of a talented professional working with the gravels of Saint-Julien. Drink 2011 up to 2030. (2011)"

94 points Wine & Spirits: "[$70 list] 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. (Oct 2008)"

93 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2005 Lagrange was picked from 21 September until 10 October. It has a harmonious and vigorous bouquet with blackberry, cedar, tobacco aromas and just a light estuarine scent that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins and much more mid-palate presence than prior vintages. There is more body and grip, a sense of boldness towards the finish that should stand it in good stead for long-term ageing. Superb. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate. Drink: 2021-2040. (Dec 2020)"

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. (3/31/08)"

17./20 points Stephen Brook (The World of Fine Wine): "Opaque red. Lean, intense blackcurrant nose, with quite pronounced but not disagreeable herbaceousness and a light savory tone. Rich and succulent, but exceptional sweetness of fruit for Lagrange. Pungent and vigorous, with a lot of spice. Not a massive wine, but it has fine structure and persistence. Good length and complex. (Issue #26; 2009)"