Château Lagrange

The History of Château Lagrange

The earliest records of Domaine de Lagrange date back to the Middle Ages, when it was known as "Maison Noble de Lagrange Monteil." It was a vast estate comprising farmland, a church, and community buildings. The estate did not take its current name until the 17th century, when two terroirs were brought together to form the wine estate we know today.

The modern history of Château Lagrange truly began in the 18th century under the Branne family, who developed the vineyard and helped it establish a reputation in the region. Thomas Jefferson, then U.S. ambassador to France, visited the estate in 1787 and included it in his own classification of Bordeaux’s great wines.

A decisive turning point for the estate came in 1842, when it was acquired by Count Tanneguy Duchâtel, Minister of the Interior under Louis-Philippe. Duchâtel undertook major renovations and modernized viticultural techniques by installing an innovative drainage system, helping to improve the quality of the wines. Under his leadership, Château Lagrange was classified as a Third Growth in the famous 1855 Médoc classification.

Despite this recognition, the late 19th century brought economic difficulties and the devastation of phylloxera. The estate went through a long period of decline until the Cendoya family acquired it in 1925. In 1983, the Japanese group Suntory bought the estate and invested heavily in its renovation. Today, thanks to Suntory’s investment and rigorous management, Château Lagrange has regained its place among Bordeaux’s great wines.

The Terroirs and Vines of Château Lagrange

The Château Lagrange vineyard covers 118 hectares on the Left Bank, making it the largest of the growths classified in 1855. Located west of Beychevelle in the Saint-Julien appellation, the estate benefits from an exceptional terroir of two rises of Günzian gravel. These gravel soils, mixed with sand and iron-rich clay, provide ideal conditions for growing Bordeaux grape varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the red grape plantings (68%), followed by Merlot (25%) and Petit Verdot (7%). This composition gives Château Lagrange wines a solid structure, appealing aromatic complexity, and impressive aging potential. The vines are planted at a density of 8,500 vines per hectare, a practice that helps limit yields and concentrate quality in the grapes. 

The estate is also committed to sustainable, environmentally responsible management, adopting practices such as natural ground cover, eliminating chemical herbicides, and using solar panels to manage energy resources more effectively. Detailed vineyard mapping also enables optimal plot-by-plot management, with each plot vinified separately to bring out the best of its terroir.

Winemaking at Château Lagrange

Winemaking at Château Lagrange combines tradition and modernity, with particular care taken at every stage of production. The grapes are harvested by hand and then sorted using optical sorting technology, which selects the best fruit with great precision. The wines are then fermented in stainless steel tanks of various sizes, suited to the characteristics of each plot.

Fermentation is carried out using co-inoculation, with a long maceration to extract the full aromatic and tannic richness of the grapes. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 20 to 21 months in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new. This aging method lends Château Lagrange wines the finesse and complexity that give them excellent aging potential.

Since 1985, the estate has also produced a second wine, "Les Fiefs de Lagrange", made from younger vines and intended to offer a more approachable version of the fine wine while remaining true to the estate’s character. In 1996, Château Lagrange began producing white wine with "Les Arums de Lagrange", a bold initiative for a Médoc estate traditionally focused on red wines.

The Cuvées of Château Lagrange

Château Lagrange offers several cuvées, each reflecting the estate’s unique identity and winemaking expertise.

Château Lagrange (Fine Wine)

Château Lagrange’s fine wine is powerful and elegant, made from the estate’s oldest vines. Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, it stands out for its complex structure, appealing freshness, and exceptional aging potential. A true ambassador for the Saint-Julien appellation, it offers aromas of blackcurrant, dark fruit, and cedar, along with spicy notes. Aging in barrels for 21 months gives it a silky texture and remarkable length on the palate.

Les Fiefs de Lagrange

The estate’s second wine is made from its younger vines. It is more approachable while retaining the precision and elegance characteristic of Château Lagrange. Aged in barrels for 13 months, "Les Fiefs de Lagrange" is appreciated for its supple character and depth. It offers aromas of red fruit and licorice, with smooth tannins and appealing freshness on the finish.

Les Arums de Lagrange

"Les Arums de Lagrange" is one of the few white wines produced in the Médoc. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris, it delights with its balance of vibrancy and richness, offering aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, and white peach. Aged in half-barrels for six months, this white wine stands out for its freshness and tension while offering a pleasing roundness on the palate.

Pagus de Lagrange

Made from plots in the Haut-Médoc appellation, "Pagus de Lagrange" is a charming, elegant wine composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is vinified and aged with the same care as the estate’s other cuvées. The wine stands out for its freshness, spicy and fruity notes, and appealing structure on the palate. It offers a more affordable alternative to the great wines of Saint-Julien, along with excellent value for money.

Saint-Julien, a leading Médoc appellation in Bordeaux, is renowned for red wines of great finesse and longevity. Certain vintages stand out for their exceptional quality, yielding powerful, elegant, and complex wines. Among the finest are 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, true benchmarks for lovers of age-worthy wines. More recent standout vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, all praised for their balance and aging potential. The 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages also stand out for their richness and complexity, continuing to make Saint-Julien an essential reference in the world of wine.

We invite you to discover Bordeaux’s Third Growth châteaux, true treasures of the region. Explore the great terroirs of Margaux through the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d’Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme, and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, and the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises an unforgettable experience reflecting the art of Médoc wines.

Château Lagrange is an emblematic estate that embodies the excellence of the Saint-Julien appellation. With its exceptional terroir, rigorous vineyard practices, and commitment to quality, the estate continues to produce wines of great elegance and remarkable depth. Whether through its Fine Wine, its second wine "Les Fiefs de Lagrange", or white cuvées such as "Les Arums de Lagrange", Château Lagrange offers a unique experience with every tasting. A true gem of the Médoc to discover and savor.