Dense purple in color and surprisingly open-knit and velvety textured, the full-bodied, fleshy, succulently styled 2003 Lagrange is more accessible than most Northern Medocs. With low acidity, silky tannin, and loads of chocolatey black currant and cherry fruit as well as nicely integrated, toasty oak, this sensual wine should drink beautifully in 2-3 years and last for 15-18.

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s “10-Year On” tasting in London. The Lagrange ’03 has a ripe, generous, crowd-pleasing bouquet of marmalade, singed leather, dried herbs and sandalwood that is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannins. This is a masculine Lagrange with good depth, although it feels rather foursquare and perhaps “predictable” on the tobacco-driven finish. Tasted March 2013.