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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
Living up to its reputation as “one of the top wines of the appellation” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, these selections from Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere offer richly aromatic, concentrated dark fruit hinting of spice and graphite layered with silky, supple tannins, all top Pessac-Leognan values crafted to age beautifully and bargain priced for stocking the cellar to enjoy often.
Located just outside the town of Leognan, Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere has undergone a complete transformation since its purchase by the Bonnie family in 1997, completely modernizing the winemaking facilities and converting the estate to sustainable farming practices including plowing by horse and preserving biodiversity, the improvements reflected in the Grand Vin’s consistently outstanding quality over the last decade. A mix of gravel slopes and elevations rising to 53 meters, Malartic-Lagraviere’s 64 hectares of vineyards for the red blend are evenly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parcels of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot on Pessac-Leognan’s well-draining plateau, boasting gravel up to eight meters deep layered over veins of clay and fossil-rich limestone that contributes a signature minerality. Employing rigorous selection and produced under famed consultant Michel Rolland in 2018 and equally renowned enologist Eric Boissenot in 2019 and 2020, the Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge was vinified parcel by parcel in 30 different, conical-shaped vats and aged from 18-20 months in 65 to 75% new French oak. A blend of 56% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet-Franc and 2% Petit-Verdot, the 95 pt. 2020 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge was called “one of the successes of the appellation” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and described by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley as a “nicely balanced, suave and flavorful Pessac” that “will offer a broad drinking window.” Blending 55.9 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot and 2.8% Cab Franc, the 96 pt. 2019 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge is “a sophisticated Pessac-Leognan” that “will age with style” according to Neal Martin of Vinous and described as “absolutely living up to its promise, with Pessac glamour that knows where to make an impression” by critic Anson. Composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cab Franc, the 96 pt. 2018 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge is a “sumptuous Pessac-Leognan” that’s “undeniably flashy and alluring” according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, scoring a spot on Jane Anson’s list of the top wines of the 2018 vintage.
Describing the estate as “one of the front-runners not just within the appellation, but in Bordeaux,” Neal Martin of Vinous declared these recent vintages the “golden age of Malartic-Lagraviere,” this age worthy trio of Chateau Marlartic-Lagraviere ready to reward patient Bordeaux fans seeking value with decades of enjoyable drinking at an affordable price. |
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Despite its weight, this is a well-crafted wine. It combines richness with sophisticated tannins, dense black fruits and considerable potential. Ripe berry flavors give depth. Drink this wine from 2026.
96 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (May 2021)
The 2018 Malartic Lagravière is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Inky dark fruit, dried herbs, licorice, lavender and chocolate are all kicked up in this sumptuous Pessac-Léognan. Soft curves and silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2018 is undeniably flashy and alluring, I loved it.
95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2021)
An outstanding wine, the 2018 Château Malartic Lagraviere (57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and the rest 3% Cabernet Franc) offers a deep purple hue as well as beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with lots of graphite, gravelly earth, violets, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins and impressive purity of fruit, it's another gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)
Blackberry, hot-stone and blueberry aromas follow through to a full body with chewy, dusty tannins that are long and chewy. It shows lots of Pessac character, reminding me of the stoney soils of the area. Give this at least three or four years to come together. Try after 2024.
94 points, James Suckling (Mar 2021)