Since 2013 our mission has been to find great wines of great value that are ready to drink tonight.
If you thought Bordeaux was reserved for special occasions and cellar-only contemplation, allow us to introduce you to a wine that defies that stereotype: the 2022 Château Lagrange Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé. This January, we’re stepping beyond the new-world gems and everyday standbys to spotlight a classic Left-Bank Bordeaux that genuinely deserves your attention—not just for its pedigree, but for the joy it brings in the glass.
Château Lagrange, a Third Growth (Troisième Grand Cru Classé) in the 1855 classification, has crafted an exceptional 2022 that ranks among the estate’s finest recent efforts. This wine seamlessly blends power and elegance, capturing the essence of Saint-Julien with a freshness and purity rarely found at this level.
In the glass, the 2022 Lagrange unfolds with vibrant, well-defined notes of cassis, ripe black cherry, violet, and freshly rolled pencil shavings—a signature Bordeaux aromatic profile that signals both depth and refinement. On the palate the wine shows medium- to full-body with fine, chalky tannins and lively acidity, balanced fruit intensity, and a long, poised finish that hints at years of enjoyment ahead.
Critics have widely celebrated this vintage for its structural clarity and harmonious integration, with Jeb Dunnuck calling it “a remarkably pure, concentrated, powerful Saint-Julien with fine tannins and a seedless, balanced mouthfeel,” and something that will reward patience as well as early enjoyment.
What makes our January wine of the month special isn’t just its pedigree or critical acclaim—it’s the fact that you can find a wine of such stature and complexity ready for some early bottle development, while still promising decades of pleasure. It bridges that gap between “suitable for now” and “worthy of a cellar,” which is precisely the kind of value we chase at Peninsula Underground.
Pair this 2022 Château Lagrange with classic dishes that mirror its structure and nuance—think herb-crusted lamb, slow-roasted beef, or a cassoulet with earthy mushrooms and rich jus—for a meal that elevates both food and wine.
Whether you’re a seasoned Bordeaux enthusiast or a curious explorer ready to broaden your palate, this Saint-Julien offers a compelling introduction to what the Left Bank can be. Elegant, powerful, and enduring, it’s exactly the kind of bottle that can define a year’s wine journey. That’s why the 2022 Château Lagrange Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé is our January 2026 Wine of the Month.
Learn more about Château Lagrange, purchase their wine, and follow them here:
https://chateau-lagrange.com/en/
@chateaulagrange
