Château Lagrange

Château Lagrange's origins trace to the Middle Ages, when it was known as the Maison Noble de Lagrange Monteil. Vineyard records document its existence from 1631, and Baron de Brane owned the estate in the 18th century. Count Duchâtel expanded the property to an impressive 280 hectares between 1842 and 1875, establishing its peak historical scale. By 1983, however, decades of neglect had reduced the productive vineyard to just 56 hectares and the estate had fallen well below its classified growth potential. That year, Japanese beverage giant Suntory purchased Lagrange for $10 million, with chairman Keizo Saji initiating a sweeping restoration. Suntory invested $30 million in the first two years alone, replanting vines and modernizing the cellar. The vineyard was ultimately consolidated to 118 hectares to focus on the highest-quality parcels.

• Documented vineyard records date to 1631, one of the Médoc's longest histories
• Count Duchâtel expanded the estate to 280 hectares in the 19th century
• Suntory's 1983 acquisition and $30 million renovation transformed the estate
• Thomas Jefferson noted Lagrange as a Third Growth in 1787

Lagrange occupies 118 hectares on two gravelly knolls with north and south-facing aspects, reaching a maximum elevation of 24 meters, notable for the relatively flat Médoc landscape. The estate sits within the Saint-Julien appellation and benefits from a temperate oceanic climate. The soils are exceptionally varied, with silico-gravelly topsoil over clay-limestone subsoil, and no fewer than 17 distinct soil types have been identified across the property. A comprehensive soil study conducted in 2009 divided the vineyard into 103 unique plots, enabling highly precise parcel-level viticulture. Quartz-rich gravel deposits, sand, and clay all feature across the estate, contributing to the textural complexity and structural precision found in the wines.

• 118 hectares on two gravelly knolls with dual north and south aspects
• 17 distinct soil types identified, dominated by silico-gravelly topsoil over clay-limestone
• 2009 soil mapping divided the estate into 103 unique plots
• Highest point reaches 24 meters above sea level

The red vineyard at Château Lagrange is planted with 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, a composition firmly in line with Saint-Julien's classic structure-focused blending tradition. Cabernet Sauvignon's dominance ensures that the grand vin delivers firm tannins, cassis-driven fruit, and genuine aging potential. The Petit Verdot component contributes aromatic lift and color depth. The estate also maintains a white wine program under the Baron St. Julien label, produced from 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, and 20% Sémillon, a blend that reflects the wider Bordeaux Blanc tradition. Marcel Ducasse led the estate's winemaking renaissance from 1983, and Matthieu Bordes has served as General Manager and head winemaker since 2007, overseeing further facility upgrades in 2008 and 2013.

• Red blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
• White wine (Baron St. Julien): 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Sémillon
• Matthieu Bordes has led winemaking since 2007
• Cellar renovations in 2008 and 2013 modernized production facilities

Château Lagrange holds the rank of Troisième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Official Bordeaux Classification, placing it among the most distinguished estates in the Médoc. Its historical prestige is underscored by Thomas Jefferson's independent ranking of the property as a Third Growth in 1787, nearly 70 years before the official classification was established. The estate's modern reputation was rebuilt from the ground up following Suntory's 1983 acquisition, and Lagrange is now widely regarded as one of the classification's overachievers, delivering quality that consistently punches above its Third Growth status. The combination of meticulous plot-level viticulture, significant capital investment, and experienced winemaking leadership has cemented its position as a benchmark Saint-Julien producer.