2018, Château Lagrange, AOC POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: 100% MerlotThe 2018 Lagrange (Pomerol) is boisterous and racy, both of which give it tons of immediacy. Red cherry fruit, cedar, tobacco, crushed flowers and spice lend notable complexity. The tannins are a bit firm, but time in bottle should help that somewhat. This deceptively mid-weight Pomerol packs plenty of punch. 90 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2021)The 2018 Lagrange comes across as a little oaky on the nose, although that seems to be subsumed with time in the glass. There is a touch of rusticity when compared to the Clos la Madeleine. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, a slightly more muscular take on the vintage with impressive substance towards the finish. What just lacks is a bit of refinement and finesse. 88-90 Neal Martin, Vinous (2019).Made from 100% Merlot, the 2018 Lagrange (Pomerol) has a medium to deep garnet-purple colour and alluring scents of plum preserves, Morello cherries and blackberry compote, plus suggestions of camphor, tobacco leaf and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers plenty of freshness to lift the earthy, muscular core, with a rugged, chewy texture to boot, finishing savoury. It's of a rather rustic, old-school style that should improve slightly with bottle age, but not much. 89+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2021)This rivals the 2016 for sure, although the sense of gravity is perhaps just a little less effortless as it was in that incredible vintage.It's closed in and tight on the nose with slightly reductive notes, but it opens up after a few minutes to reveal another good quality St-Julien. A serious wine, it has well structured walls and a moat around the cassis fruit. It's not quite at the level of 2010 but is halfway there, making you stop and think before its gentle power takes over. 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (2019)Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033