Château Lagrange Saint-Julien 2012

94 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel sample. Already a beautiful wine, this is showing fine, sweet fruits along with a solid structure. The palate is juicy and fruity with new wood flavors showing through. The aftertaste is full of the fresh aspect of the vintage.

TERROIR
Completely situated in the village of Saint-Julien, the vineyard of Chateau Lagrange represents 118 hectares in red vines the slopes directed towards the North and the South, in one block. The subsoil is of clay and limestone and the topsoil is of pebbles and gravel. The climate is temperate and oceanic.

THE VINTAGE
A complex climate characterized by cold in February, dryness in February, March, August, September, and by heavy rains in April, June and October.

Blend 67% Cabernet Sauvignon | 30% Merlot | 3% Petit Verdot

Planting Density 8 700 to 10 000 vines / hectare

Harvest  From the 8th of October to the 21st of October
                Grapes are hand­picked into individual crates
                A first selection is done by hand on whole bunches, and a second one
                grape by grape with an optical camera

Vinification   Plot by plot and intro plot vinification in the 102 thermo-regulated
                        stainless steel vats of variable capacity (36 to 220 hl) for the 103 plots

                       The selection of batch is conducted according to the varietal, age
                        of vines, terroirs and grapes maturity.

                       Vinification at 26­-28 °C during 15 to 22 days

                       Moderate pumping­ over every day, or delestage or pigeage

                       Malo lactic fermentation through co inoculation

Average age of the vine 40 years

% of first Label 53%

Barrel Ageing Blending in January
                          Maturation for 21 months. 60 % of new oak barrels
                          Fining in barrel with fresh egg­whites
                          Final blending before bottling

Tasting Window 2017-2030

TASTING NOTE
Dark red with tangy notes of cassis and black cherry, the nose is very expressive. The palate is silky, smooth, almost creamy. A very harmonious and balanced wine that impresses with the characteristic elegance of the vintage.