Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2011

🍷 Vintage Background and Winemaking Process

2011 Vintage Characteristics: 2011 was a challenging vintage for Bordeaux, characterized by a dry spring, a cool and rainy summer, but abundant sunshine in the autumn. The grapes achieved moderate ripeness and very high acidity, earning it the reputation of a "classic cool vintage" from many critics. It exhibits a pure, elegant style with excellent aging potential.

Grape Origin: Selected from specific plots of land surrounding Château Lagrange (including gravelly and chalky soils). The soils, predominantly deep gravel and chalk, impart elegant tannins and minerality to the wine.

Blending: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon (providing blackcurrant, pencil shavings, and structure), 35% Merlot (contributing red fruit and smooth tannins), and 8% Petit Verdot (adding floral, spicy, and deep color).

Oak Aging: Aged for 12–16 months in French oak barrels (approximately 30–40% new) to impart elegant layers of vanilla, cedar, and spice while retaining pure fruit aromas.

👃 Tasting Notes

Color: A deep ruby-purple with garnet sheen, as brilliant as the afterglow of a sunset.

Aroma (Nose):

The aroma is complex and layered, exuding sweet fruity notes of blackcurrant jam, blackberry, cherry, and sour cherry, interwoven with deep hints of mint, licorice, cedar, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, gravel, spices, chocolate, and minerals.

Palate:

Medium-bodied on the palate, the sweet flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, and cherry are powerfully supported by bright acidity. The mid-palate reveals a complex blend of fine, smooth tannins, cedar, mint, licorice, spices, chocolate, and minerals. The wine is elegant and refined, possessing both power and grace.

Finish:

A medium-long, clean finish leaves a lingering sweetness with notes of blackcurrant, mint, licorice, cedar, chocolate, and a mineral, salty aftertaste. Overall, it is both sweet and savory, making it a highly versatile wine for food pairing.