The Rebirth of a Bordeaux Benchmark: Château Lagrange with Matthieu Bordes

Vint Wine Podcast

Host Billy Galanko sits down with Matthieu Bordes, Managing Director and Head Winemaker at Château Lagrange, to trace the evolution of this Saint-Julien estate, from its 118-hectare contiguous vineyard and meticulous plot-by-plot vinification to four decades of stewardship under Suntory. The conversation highlights vineyard management in the face of climate change, cellar innovations such as conical tanks and rack-and-return, the philosophy behind blending, and the significance of Lagrange’s 40th-anniversary release, all underscoring why this Grand Cru Classé continues to deliver exceptional value among the Classified Growths.

Key topics

• Saint-Julien terroir and the significance of Lagrange’s contiguous 118 ha vineyard
• Historical arc: 1855 classification → decline post-war → Suntory acquisition in 1983 and reinvestment
• Vineyard evolution: higher Cabernet Sauvignon proportion, Merlot and Petit Verdot roles, density and canopy strategies
• Cellar practices: one vat per plot, stainless steel for precision, rack-and-return vs. pump-over vs. punch-down
• Blending in January with consultant Éric Boissenot and the importance of blind benchmarking
• Defining differences between the Grand Vin and Les Fiefs de Lagrange
• Market position: quality-to-price ratio and accessibility compared with peers
• The 2023 40th-anniversary “Ves” Magnum and its historical significance

Chapters & timestamps

• 00:00 — Introduction: framing Château Lagrange’s story
• 02:00 — Terroir and estate overview
• 06:10 — Historical context & Suntory’s role
• 12:40 — Vineyard management & climate adaptations
• 19:15 — Cellar philosophy & fermentation detail
• 26:30 — Blending process & Éric Boissenot’s input
• 31:55 — First vs. second wine: profiles & oak regimes
• 37:20 — Value proposition & global markets
• 43:10 — 40th-anniversary “Ves” Magnum release
• 47:30 — Visiting Château Lagrange
• 50:10 — Closing reflections

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!