Château Lagrange 1998

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Château Lagrange 1998

Tasting Notes

Color
With a beautiful deep ruby hue, this wine reveals itself with elegance.

Nose
Discreet on opening, the nose needs some aeration to reveal its full complexity. It then releases aromas of ripe dark fruits, blackberry and blackcurrant, mingled with notes of crushed strawberry. Spicy touches, along with cedar, fresh tobacco and leather, enrich this bouquet.

Palate
The attack is smooth, leading into a medium-bodied palate carried by fine, silky tannins that have softened with time. The structure is fresh and juicy, offering lovely concentration. The medium-length finish lingers on woody notes, white cherry and exotic spices.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted beef, especially when accompanied by a red wine reduction. It also goes very well with game, such as roast venison with herbs, as well as Mediterranean-inspired dishes or French gastronomic classics such as seven-hour leg of lamb or beef ribs with porcini mushrooms.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate Château Lagrange 1998, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 18°C, allowing it to warm gently from 16°C. Aerating it for an hour in a carafe, or decanting it 24 hours in advance to remove any sediment, is recommended. This wine has reached a beautiful maturity and can be enjoyed until around 2025.

Other Characteristics

This wine stands out for its precise acidity management, maintaining a consistent pH level between 3.4 and 3.5.

The Classic Expression of a 3rd Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Julien

The Estate

With documented history dating back to 1631, Château Lagrange is a historic estate in Bordeaux. Recognized as a 3rd Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the estate underwent a true renaissance following its acquisition in 1983 by the Japanese group Suntory. Under the impetus of this new leadership, and now managed by Matthieu Bordes, significant investments have been made to restructure the vineyard and modernize the facilities. The current owner, Suntory, favors a philosophy centered on qualitative excellence and respect for the environment, thereby restoring this cru to its former glory.

The Vineyard

Located in the southwest of the Saint-Julien appellation, the vineyard sits atop the highest point in the area. It spans two gravel rises of Günzian origin resting on a clay-limestone subsoil. The estate is distinguished by great geological diversity, with seventeen soil types spread across more than a hundred parcels. Vine management is firmly focused on biodiversity and respect for nature: no chemical herbicides are used, natural grass cover is maintained, and the estate is home to beehives, birdhouses and vast wooded areas.

Winemaking and Aging

The winemaking of Château Lagrange 1998 relies on a highly precise plot-by-plot approach. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, then vinified separately in small stainless steel tanks. This method allows the fermentation parameters to be tailored to the specific characteristics of each plot before the final blending.

Grape Varieties

• 65% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 28% Merlot
• 7% Petit Verdot