August 11, 2023 - OK upon opening, but evolved negatively in the glass. Rather harsh and austere, and not charming at all. Fruit and body level was OK, but the greenish notes disturbed the overall balance. A disappointment (again).
April 13, 2023 - Nose opens with mint, blackcurrant and a wilted tarragon character. Some basil pungency and a little tobacco leaf too.
Palate is still tight with resolving but not yet rounded tannins, whilst correct, it doesn't quite deliver what the nose suggests it might.
Decanted for an hour. Will revisit in a couple of years.
January 6, 2023 - Upon opening, it was completely closed and with not much nose at all. Decanted for 3 hours, then 5 and then left it for 10 hours and virtually no change at all. Closed, dull and completely uneventful. I am glad I only paid $30.
January 12, 2022 - Stern and closed at this stage. Another 2005 that disappoints a bit. Wine seemed in limbo and actually shut down again in the evening after an initial burst of energy.
December 11, 2021 - Nog veel spanning en mooi fruit en matière. Wel storende stoffige tanines
October 19, 2020 - Superb right now. Classic Lagrange nose, but subtle and refined feel on the palate.
March 3, 2020 - Not in balance at all. The fruit is OK, but disturbing green, harsh tones in the finish totally ruin the overall impression. Keeping in mind that this second wine of Lagrange can be excellent (like the legendary 1996), this was a huge disappointment, especially when considering the vintage.
May 10, 2019 - A solid performance but still lacking the wow factor. It is holding up well at 14 and feels as if it will go for a few more years yet. The fruit is a bit muted and the cedar and leather notes are quite evident. The alcohol is noticeable but not too hot. Last bottle.
April 28, 2019 - Kept for 5 years under condition 2, for the last 7 years under condition 1 (see my profile). Color: clear red-purple with a small orange rim. At the second day nose and taste were more open than on the first one. Nose: red fruit, rather subdued. Taste: red berries and blackberries, a bit of sous bois and cedar with a nice amount of oak and a good acidity. The tannins were almost resolved. Best with food, on its own the alcohol was a bit to prominent for me. After two lesser bottles, this was nice again. 88-89.
March 20, 2019 - 6/12.
Medium/deep garnet core, pale garnet rim. Attractive, lightly smoky, minerally red and black fruits. Medium bodied, again smoky red and black fruit on the palate, fresh, savoury acidity, quite good depth, slightly firm tannin on the good length finish. VGI, drinking well.