All Episodes

September 24, 2025 53 mins

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 billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.