Wines Saint-Julien Château Lagrange - Les Fiefs de Lagrange - 2021

Viniou Reviews

Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2021 is the second wine of Château Lagrange, an esteemed estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux’s Médoc subregion. This red blend is typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and occasionally a touch of Petit Verdot. The 2021 vintage saw relatively cool conditions with rains in early summer, favouring wines with a classical Bordeaux profile: aromatic precision, moderate alcohol, and fresh acidity. Les Fiefs de Lagrange is vinified with the same meticulous care as the estate’s grand vin, aged in oak barrels (of which a proportion is new), imparting subtle toasty and spicy complexity to the wine. Expect aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, and dark cherry, lifted by floral hints and underpinned by finely grained tannins. The palate is elegant and medium-bodied, with a persistent finish reflecting both fruit purity and hints of cedar and graphite from the terroir.

Saint-Julien is renowned within the Médoc for producing wines that marry the power of neighbouring Pauillac with the finesse of Margaux. The gravelly soils found here are particularly well-suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing excellent drainage and optimal vine maturity, while the proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates temperatures and reduces the risk of frost. The result is a region that, throughout centuries, has gained a reputation for consistently excellent wines that offer both charm and longevity. Château Lagrange itself boasts a long, illustrious history dating back to the Middle Ages, and continues to be a reference point for balance and classicism in Bordeaux.

This style of Bordeaux is ideally accompanied by traditional dishes such as roast lamb with herbs de Provence, duck breast with a reduction sauce, or a classic entrecôte bordelaise. Regional cheeses like Ossau-Iraty or Cantal also make excellent companions, as do earthy vegetable dishes featuring mushrooms or lentils.

For an optimal tasting experience, serve this wine slightly cool at 16-18°C. Decanting for about an hour before serving will help the wine fully reveal its bouquet and refine its tannic structure. This wine can be enjoyed now for its freshness but will also benefit from a few more years in the cellar to further develop complexity.