After an impressive showing in 1855 that saw it awarded Third Growth status, St-Julien property Lagrange suffered long years of neglect. Swathes of vineyard were sold off, and the chateau itself was gutted in a fire in the 1950s. Things finally began change in 1983, when Lagrange was bought by the Suntory Group and investment poured in. The winemaking facilities were completely modernised. The vineyard was replanted, and with new acquisitions the size of the vineyard doubled from 55 to 118 hectares (on a total 142 hectares of land), making Lagrange the largest estate in St-Julien. The vineyard is one massive block of vines across 2 gently sloping gravel hillsides inland from the river, so a little more prone to frost. Soils are a mix of gravels and sandy clays, and plantings are now 66% Cabernet Sauvignon/27% Merlot/7% Petit Verdot. The proportion of the second wine Fiefs de Lagrange is gradually as more vines from the wholesale replanting of the Suntory era reach maturity, and Lagrange is one of the few Medoc properties to make a white wine, Les Arums de Lagrange (mainly Sauvignon Blanc, with some Semillon and Sauvignon Gris). Since 2013, Lagrange has been managed by the irrepressible Mathieu Bordes, who loves to boast about the no-expense-spared approach he is allowed. (NT 19/08/25)
