Chateau LaGrange St Julien 2005 750ML

Stunning now. A fabulous nose of currants, crushed raspberry and blackberry. Full-bodied, with perfectly integrated tannins and a long, caressing finish.

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.

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.

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 long aging potential here.

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. 24,165 cases made.

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.

Lagrange 2005 is an impressive effort, if perhaps trying just a bit too hard. If the nose still shows a fair bit of wood, although the wine has the ripe blackcurrant fruit to balance this out. The tannins are firm and somewhat angular on the palate, giving a slightly austere feel to the finish.

Sweet, toasty, oaky notes interwoven with hints of black olives, blackberries, cassis, and spice box are found in this densely saturated ruby/purple-hued 2005. While rich, with impressive concentration and purity, it is also tannic, full-bodied, and painfully backward and foreboding. This is another long-term prospect that will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027.