Chateau La Grange tasting with special guest Matthieu Bordes General Manager

"Drinking is like pouring smiles on your brain."

Chris Hardwick

In my line of work, we bring lots of smiles to brains all over this great state of Florida and beyond. 

We had a great deal on Sauternes yesterday and today South Florida with host have many of the great Chateau from Bordeaux who are in town for the UGC tasting in Miami to taste the outstanding 2016 vintage.  I can’t make it to the tasting because of our big event here at the store but I love Bordeaux and, will be there in spirit- which means I did not plan appropriately this year. 

I will be going to Bordeaux in April to taste the 2018 vintage wines at the annual UGC tasting and we will be hosting several great Bordeaux events here at the Wine Bar like this event with Chateau Lagrange to get ready this big event over the next few months. 

Join us as we taste through several vintages of Chateau Lagrange with Matthieu Bordes to make sure this property belongs among the elite Chateau of the St. Julien appellation on January 30th.  The fee for this event which includes dinner is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

Chateau La Grange tasting
with special guest Matthieu Bordes General Manager
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
7:30 PM

Chateau Lagrange Bordeaux Blanc "Les Fleurs du Lac" 2016
Price: $27.50       Sale $24.20

Historically, a good number of chateaux in the Medoc produced a white wine primarily destined for their own consumption or receptions. This was the case for Château Lagrange until the beginning of the sixties. Then, due to the bad economic situation at the time, production of this wine was abandoned. The tradition was revived starting with the 1997 vintage, and a dry white wine (AOC Bordeaux) was put on the Bordeaux market called “Les Arums De Lagrange”. Soil: Homogeneous sandy gravel. Surface: 6 hectares. Location: Cussac Fort Médoc. Grape varieties: 60% Sauvignon Blanc / 20% Sémillon / 20% Sauvignon Gris. Traditional vinification. No malolactic fermentation. Ageing of 6 months in 20% new oak. Ageing Potential – 3 to 5 years.

Le Haut Medoc de Lagrange 2015
Price: $27.50       Sale $24.20

Les Fiefs de Lagrange Saint-Julien 2016
Price: $47.50       Sale $41.80

(91 Points) The 2016 Les Fiefs de Lagrange is a delicious second wine from Lagrange. Plump, forward and juicy, the Fiefs is everything a second wine should be. Aromatically expressive and pliant, with midweight structure and impeccable balance, the 2016 is a winner. Vinous Media

Chateau Lagrange Saint-Julien 2016
Price: $88.50       Sale $77.88

(95 Points) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Lagrange sashays out of the glass with notions of candied violets, cassis, underbrush and warm black plums with waves of Black Forest cake, cedar chest and yeast extract scents. Medium to full-bodied, the bags of perfumed black fruits are solidly structured with super ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and layered.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Chateau Lagrange Saint-Julien 2000
Price: $189.00    Sale $166.32

(93 Points) An impressive performance by Lagrange, the 2000 possesses a saturated ruby/purple color with obvious notes of melted licorice, creme de cassis, and toasty new oak. This ripe, dense, full-bodied St.-Julien is chewy, thick, high in tannin, large-bodied, and impressively long and dense. As always, it is less expressive than some of its peers, but it is loaded as well as reasonably priced.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Chateau Lagrange Saint-Julien 2005
Price: $168.75    Sale $148.50

(91 Points) 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.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Chateau Lagrange Saint-Julien 2010
Price: $144.50    Sale $127.16

(92 Points) Notes of singed alder, graphite and charcoal wrap around the core of intense blackberry paste, warm plum sauce and currant preserves. Turns sleek and racy on the well-knit finish despite the notable grip. Best from 2015 through 2030.  Wine Spectator

Menu

Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie

Mushroom and Tuna Tartar with lavender aioli

Duck Confit with currant plum sauce

Chocolate covered bacon with blackberry coulis

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $125 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

A bit of history on Lagrange:

A place of great agricultural activity even back in Gallo-Roman times: from the Gallo-Roman VILLA RUSTICA to the « GRANGIA » in the Middle Ages which was to give the estate its name.

Lagrange discovers an early winegrowing vocation thanks to the Templars who join together two domains :
– The « maison noble de Lagrange de Monteil » to the West joins the « Tenure of Pellecalhus » (meaning « peeled stone ») to the East. In the present-day vineyard, the names of two vine plots bear witness to this era, « l’Hôpital » and « La Chapelle »;
– Lagrange becomes the largest wine producing estate in the Médoc.

But the history of the different owners cannot be reconstructed until after 1631.

The 18th century brings renown to Lagrange

Baron de Brane, a Bordeaux parliament member, and owner of Mouton, acquires the property and its renown thus becomes more widespread.

In 1790, Jean-Valère Cabarrus, an influential merchant known to be very active in the shipping business, invests in the property and establishes his own sales network. In 1820, he commissions Visconti to build the Tuscan-style tower that is to become the emblem of Château Lagrange.
From Jefferson to Duchâtel, the story of a classification

During a trip to Bordeaux In 1785, Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United States, judges Lagrange second among the Third Classified Growths. In 1855, Lagrange ranks among Third Classified Growths. This is thanks to the work of Count Duchâtel, owner from 1842 to 1874. In 1842, Count Charles Tenneguy Duchâtel and the Countess bring change to Lagrange :
– Innovation with a pottery drainage pipe factory.
– Château Lagrange now stretches over 300 hectares of which 120 are under vine.
– The Count is a politician, Home Secretary to King Louis-Philippe.
– Passion for the arts, Member of the Académie des Beaux Arts.

Lagrange today

The Japanese group, Suntory, acquired the domain when the purchase was signed by the company president, Mr Keizo Saji, in 1983.

Marcel Ducasse was then recruited along with Kenji Suzuta to undertake the complete restructuring of the vineyard and a spectacular renovation of the whole estate. This first step was to mark the rebirth of CHÂTEAU LAGRANGE.

After twenty years of dedicated work, as well as human and technical investments, Lagrange had once again found recognition amidst its peers and had achieved a certain sense of fulfilment.

Today a new tandem, Matthieu Bordes and Keiichi Shiina, have taken over this quest for excellence. A second phase of investments began with the 2008 vintage, offering Lagrange the technical means to follow its ambitions: The production of refined, elegant and expressive wines, in the best Saint-Julien style. There has also been an evolution of production methods towards a greater awareness of the environment and a reduction of ecological impact on the property.

This philosophy is reflected not only in the respect shown for the domain’s History, and the nurturing of its truly exceptional Terroir, but also in the unique experiences shared all over the world around a glass of one of Lagrange’s wines.

Located entirely within the appellation of Saint-Julien, our vineyard stretches in a single block over two North-South rises of Gunzian gravelly soil. In parts large and coarse and in others finer, this gravel is combined with sand or iron-rich clay depending on the plot.

With an altitude of 24 metres, the centre of the domain marks the highest point of Saint-Julien. The estate covers 182 hectares (450 acres), of which 118 hectares (292 acres) are under vine. Most of the plots benefit from a drainage system.

From the vineyard to the cellar

A subtle blend of tradition and modernity : these notions come together at harvest-time. The harvest is firstly handpicked into individual crates and then sorted both manually and by an optical sorting machine. Here we see Technology at the service of Excellence. Traditional Bordeaux vinification is carried out in 92 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats of varying capacities, thus allowing a separate vinification to respect the character of each plot and soil-type, each terroir. Placing all or part of a given plot into its own vat means we are able to harvest it at optimum ripeness. This level of precision ensures the perfect quality of fruit necessary for the production of exceptional wines.

The total vatting time, established by tasting, varies from 16 to 28 days, depending on the tannic development in the fermenting wines.

The temperature of fermentation never exceeds 28°C to guarantee preservation of the finesse and fruitiness.

The selection of press wine is performed “barrel by barrel“ allowing a wider choice range during the blend tastings.

Blending and Ageing

Following consultation with our oenologist, Eric BOISSENOT, the wines are blended only a few months after harvest, to achieve a better harmonization of the tannins and plot origins.

The wines are aged in French oak barrels, of which 60% are renewed each year. They are racked in the age-old way every 3 months. During this essential 20-month maturation period, the cellar is maintained at 15°C and the ambient humidity is carefully controlled so that the qualities of each vintage may be exalted.

What I Drank Yesterday:

What I Drank Yesterday- Secret Indulgence

Secret Indulgence is a collaboration with Jean Charles Boisset and several of his winemakers making a unique set of wines that are all small production having their own unique personality.  All of the wines in this collection are 2000 cases or less so very limited production.

2017 Secret Indulgence Digression Provence Rose          
Price: $30.75

Laurent Sauvage the perfect stage name for the rose winemaker from the south of France.  A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah with hints of fresh flowers and a touch of minerality from the sea, light red berry fruit raspberry and strawberry.  Light and refreshing style of Rose with tongue tingly acidity and juicy light red berry fruit, notes of fresh flowers and a clean refreshing finish.  Finish 35+        Excellent

2016 Secret Indulgence Le Duc Noir Pinot Noir Soinoma County               
Price: $30.75

This is Brian Maloney again on the Pinot Noir.  Bright red cherry berry fruit with hints of exotic brown spices and fresh flowers very pretty nose.  Rich cherry pie like fruit on the tongue with silky velvety texture and a nice freshness not sweet but lots of fruit and a nice touch of spice and light smoky notes on the finish.  Finish  40+               Excellent

2016 Secret Indulgence Chronology Red Wine California
Price: $25.50

A blend of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Cabernet Malbec , Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Mission, Syrah and Mourvedre made by Brian Maloney.  A mixed bag like minced meat pie with a host of spice and some pretty floral notes, sweet chocolate notes coming out as the wine opens.  Sweet red berry fruit on the tongue with soft round tannins and a nice touch of spice and a hint of tannins, lots of mass appeal very drinkable style.  Finish 35+          Very Good +

2015 Secret Indulgence Confession Napa Valley Red Wine         
Price: $50.25

This mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, petite Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot blend is a collaboration between Stephanie Putnam & Thane Knutson.  A good bit of dark currant and berry fruit hints of animal and leather like notes here on the nose along with some fresh loamy earth notes.  Nice structure and depth of fruit on the tongue with nice ripe tannins and a good hand of spice and some tannins here on the finish, nicely balanced needs a bit of time.  Finish 45+         Excellent

2014 Secret Indulgence Tarot Cabernet Sauvignon L'Imperatrice Napa  
Price: $60.00

Dark mocha like notes with currant with lots of spice and some loamy earth notes and hints of cigar box spice on the nose there is a bit of merlot and Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot made by Stephanie Putnam.  A big and chewy wine with lots of currant and dark cherry liqueur like fruit on the tongue, dark mocha and cedar like spice notes through the finish, lots of everything and good balance and freshness, even better on the second day.  Finish 45+    Excellent +

Deal of the Day! – you got to the bottom of the e-mail so for the next 24 hours or until the 20 cases are gone- you get this price which is the best in the world…

2014 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Price: $35.00   Sale $25.00

(92 Points) Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Malbec, is scented of red currants, blackberries and wild blueberries with touches of olives and underbrush. Medium-bodied, tightly wound and packed with tense red and black fruits, it has a fine-grained texture and savory finish.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate