Château Lagrange
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Château Lagrange is a 3e Cru Classé of Saint-Julien, owned by the Suntory Group. The estate spans 107 hectares of vines on gravel ridges. It produces red wines, a second wine, and a white wine.
Identity
Château Lagrange is an 1855 Troisième Grand Cru Classé, located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. The estate has been owned by the Suntory Group, under the leadership of the Saji family, since 1983. The technical team is managed by Matthieu Bordes, general manager and oenologist, alongside Keiichi Shiina, vice-president for the Suntory Group.
History and Philosophy
The history of Château Lagrange dates back to the 17th century, when its viticultural vocation began. Land holdings are recorded as early as the 13th century. From 1712 to 1746, the Branne de Cours family were the proprietors. In 1820, Jean-Valère Cabarrus commissioned the construction of the Tuscan Tower. Count Tanneguy Duchâtel, Minister of the Interior under Louis-Philippe, acquired the property in 1842 and remained its owner until 1874.
The Cendoya family took ownership in 1925. In 1983, the estate was acquired by the Suntory Group. Immediately following the acquisition, substantial investments were made to modernise the property.
A project to restore and modernise the estate's buildings was launched in 2021. The façades of the château and its tower have been restored. The renovation of the château's guest rooms began in 2022 and was completed in 2023. Upcoming stages include restructuring the parkland and roadways, constructing a new viticultural centre building, and renovating the vat room.
Appellations
Château Lagrange produces wines under the Saint-Julien Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée. The estate also produces a wine in Haut-Médoc.
Practical Information
Château Lagrange is located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle (33250).
Visits to the estate are available by appointment, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The estate offers tastings and direct cellar-door sales. Accommodation is available across 14 renovated rooms for trade professionals and groups. The estate also offers Japanese food and wine pairing workshops.
Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 73 38 38
Email: visites@chateau-lagrange.com
Find Out More
Frequently asked questions
- What is Château Lagrange's primary appellation and official classification?
- Château Lagrange is an 1855 Troisième Grand Cru Classé, situated in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation. This historic classification reflects the quality and standing of this Bordeaux winegrowing estate, which produces renowned red wines across a 107-hectare vineyard. The property is located in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle.
- Who are the current owners of Château Lagrange and since when?
- Château Lagrange has been owned by the Suntory Group, under the stewardship of the Saji family, since 1983. Following this acquisition, significant investments were made to modernise the estate and its facilities. The technical team is headed by Matthieu Bordes, general manager and oenologist, and Keiichi Shiina, vice-president for the Suntory Group, ensuring the continuity and excellence of the wines produced.
- What grape varieties are planted at Château Lagrange for its red and white wines?
- The vineyard of Château Lagrange is planted predominantly with classic Bordeaux grape varieties. For the red wines, the blend of grape varieties consists of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. For the white wines, the plantings comprise 80% Sauvignon blanc and 20% Sémillon. The vines have an average age of 40 years and are planted on gravel ridges.
- What are the different cuvées produced by Château Lagrange?
- Château Lagrange produces several emblematic cuvées. The Grand Vin is Château Lagrange, representing the purest expression of the estate. The second wine is Les Fiefs de Lagrange. The estate also crafts a white wine, Les Arums de Lagrange, a blend of Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon first produced in the late 1990s. Finally, Le Pagus de Lagrange is another cuvée, produced under the Haut-Médoc appellation.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The vineyard of Château Lagrange covers an area of 107 hectares, in a single contiguous block surrounding the château, corresponding precisely to the surface area classified in 1855. The vineyard is established on two Günzian gravel ridges, one of which represents the highest point in the Saint-Julien appellation. The soils consist of silica-gravel over clay-limestone subsoils. The estate also encompasses around forty hectares of parkland, woodlands, and a lake. The average age of the vines is 40 years.
The grape varieties for the red wines comprise 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. For the white wines, the plantings consist of 80% Sauvignon blanc and 20% Sémillon.
Harvesting is carried out by hand.
Flagship Cuvées
The estate's Grand Vin is Château Lagrange. The second wine is Les Fiefs de Lagrange. The estate also crafts a white wine, Les Arums de Lagrange, first produced in the late 1990s. Les Arums de Lagrange is a blend of Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon gris, and Sémillon. Another cuvée is Le Pagus de Lagrange, under the Haut-Médoc appellation.
Vinification and Ageing
Vinification of the red wines takes place in 102 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, ranging in capacity from 36 to 220 hectolitres. The maceration period lasts between 15 and 20 days. Ageing is conducted in oak barriques for 16 to 20 months, with 60% new oak renewed each year.
- Appellation
- Saint-Julien
- Commune
- Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Classification
- 3e Cru Classé 1855
- Owner
- Groupe Suntory
- Technical direction
- Matthieu Bordes
- Surface area
- 107 ha
- Second wine
- Les Fiefs de Lagrange
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 28%, Petit Verdot 5%, Sauvignon blanc 80%, Sémillon 20%
Practical information
- Address
- 33250 SAINT-JULIEN-BEYCHEVELLE
- Phone
- 04 78 86 40 40
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous