2001 Lagrange, St-Julien

We have not been Tasting this wine for a while. Suffice it to say its classic St Julien nosing and tasting profile leaves a neat and well-balanced impression. The fruit is still ample, the score reasonably good, and the tastings convincing. But, unfortunately, 2001 has become a vintage not easy to come by. Owned by the Suntory group and comprising 270 acres next to Gruaud Larose, the estate went through significant improvements and huge investments through the 80s, 90s and 2000s and now shows the remarkable resurrection of the estate into the producer it always had the potential to be. Big production, high economies of scale and hence always great value.

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On horizontal. The Lagrange '01 is your quintessential Saint Julien wine with blackberry, cedar, cigar box and a touch of smoke. Very focused with great penetration. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, superb balanced with a superb cedar and tobacco tinged finish supported by ample red fruits. Great length, just a wine you want to drink (although it should keep for another decade.) Tasted March 2011. (NM) (5/2011). Edited.

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Sexy, sweet aromas of black plum, black raspberry and flowers; smells more like merlot, while 2000 is more cabernet. Juicy and suave in the mouth, with subtle but intense flavors nicely firmed by juicy acids. Classy, impeccably balanced wine with very fine-grained tannins. While this is not hard today, it should be given ten years in the cellar. (ST) 90+ (9/2004). Edited.

90 points Wine Spectator

Lots of floral, berry and raspberry characters on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely wine. Round and refined. *Smart Buys* (JS) (3/2004)

Jancis Robinson

Light but very complete nose. Absolutely classic claret with nothing out of place. All are very succulent but dry rather than sweet. I can't see how anyone could be disappointed by this unless they didn't understand red Bordeaux at all. 17.5/20 Points (JR) (3/2011). Edited.