chateau lagrange 1975

classified as a grand cru of saint-julien in 1855, château lagrange dates back to the middle ages. however, it is only in the 18th century that it is dedicated to viticulture, receiving at the same time the famous compliments of the american ambassador thomas jefferson who placed it in the 3rd rank of his personal classification. after a period of crisis in the 19th and 20th centuries (phylloxera, world wars), the property gradually rose from its ashes, thanks in particular to its acquisition by the suntory family group, which planned major renovation work in 1983. today, château lagrange is committed to producing wines with the greatest respect for nature. its ecological footprint is reduced and biodiversity is encouraged (beehives, sheep farming and three hundred species of trees). the wine-making process is just as sophisticated: the team of thirty or so people carry out plot-by-plot selections as well as methods that combine tradition and innovation. as for the grape varieties (70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 5% petit verdot for the reds and 80% sauvignon blanc, 10% sauvignon gris and 10% semillon for the whites), they are grown on gravelly slopes, harvested by hand and vinified in stainless steel vats in order to preserve the delicacy of the fruit. the wines are aged in 50% new barrels. grand vin of this 3rd grand cru classé of the saint-julien appellation, château lagrange is composed of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot, which draw their origin from soils of great diversity, mostly composed of silica and gravel on a soil made of clay and limestone. hand-picked, the grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled vats and fermentation can last between 18 and 25 days. the best vintages are selected before blending and the wine is then aged for about 20 months in oak barrels with a proportion of new wood of 60%. the wines balance elegance, delicacy, depth and a certain power. made to be kept for a long time, they are somewhat austere in their youth. they therefore deserve a few years of ageing to soften and reveal the full generosity of their aromas and texture. the wine lover will then appreciate the intensity of their fruity notes as well as their beautiful aromatic persistence.