Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Pessac-Leognan 2018
Country: France Region: Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux
Category: Red Wine Style: Dry Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 57% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Producer: Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
Description:
In 1996 Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie and his wife Michèle acquired Château Malartic-Lagravière, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves known for its famous “rounded top” of gravel. It was named Malartic in honour of the owner of the estate in the 18th century, Count Hippolyte de Malartic.
Since they acquired the Domaine, it has been completely renovated with innovative facilities, traditional winemaking methods and a fully committed team. These are essential ingredients for making wines that sit among the best grands crus of Bordeaux. One of Bordeaux’s six Crus classés, their Château Malartic-Lagravière from the AOC Pessac-Léognan is a coupage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grapes are meticulously selected and destemmed in the winery and following maceration and fermentation at controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged for 18 months in 225-litre French oak barrels.
This is how Château Malartic-Lagravière is made. A charming wine for its intensity, complexity and finesse. As Robert Parker himself says: “this is a bright, elegant and refined wine with great aging potential.”
96 points Wine Enthusiast
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. *Cellar Selection* 
95 points Decanter
This remains a little hidden and distant at this point in time, but there are some gorgeous rich liquorice and cassis fruits here, and the texture stands out for its silkiness. Clearly a very good wine, which opens up slowly and carefully. Classic but with depth and grip, continuing a run of successful vintages at Malartic. Last vintage before they take on Eric Boissenot as consultant. 2% Petit Verdot makes up the blend, with 70% new oak for ageing.
95 points Vinous
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.
94 points Jeb Dunnuck
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 James Suckling
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 stony soils of the area.
92 points Wine Advocate
Composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc and aged in 70% new oak barriques, the 2018 Malartic Lagraviere has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and pronounced notions of stewed black and red plums, boysenberries and cassis on the nose, with hints of hoisin, dried Provence herbs and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture and just enough freshness to support the black fruit preserves flavors, finishing savory.
Tasting notes
In the glass, it has a beautiful dark purple colour with slightly lighter reflections.
On the nose, it distills a bouquet of small red and black cooked or candied fruits, interspersed with delicately woody notes as well as a touch of spicy blond tobacco.
On the palate, Château Malartic-Lagravière 2018 red offers a powerful and full-bodied attack. The mid-palate is softer and reveals multiple layers of ripe fruit supported by a straight tannic line and aromas of pepper and spices that persist for long seconds on the finish.
Food Suggestion:
Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.
