CHATEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIERE Rouge, Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan 2016 Bottle

Description

Château Malartic-Lagravière, originally Domaine de Lagravière, is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Crus Classés for red and white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959. The winery and vineyards are located south of the city of Bordeaux, in the commune of Léognan.

The Domaine de Lagravière was bought in 1803 by Pierre de Malartic whose uncle, Comte de Malartic through battles against the British in Canada and Mauritius brought fame to the name and the maritime theme which is associated with this estate. The Malartic name was not applied to the estate until after 1850 however.

The estate has belonged to the Bonnie family since 1997, with oenologists Michel Rolland and Athanase Fakorellis as consultants.

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points
I love the deep and complex nose, in which the cassis and mint of cabernet sauvignon are beautifully married to the more generous blackberry of ripe merlot and the vanilla and toasty notes from the oak are marvelously integrated. On the palate it creeps up on you slowly; the first impression is ripe yet delicate, then the fine-grained tannins charge through and light up the sky. Very long finish. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at Château Bouscaut, 04 Dec 2018)
Drinking Window: 2019 - 2030
This is a wine where the Sauvignon dominates on the nose, but on the palate a host of other flavours come through, giving a more nuanced, complex and interesting wine. The slate grabs you halfway through, and drags things slowly to a close - that's the great thing about minerality, it's a texture and it slows things down, so holds the wine longer in your mouth.

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking window: 2020 - 2040
The 2016 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc has an intense bouquet of orange blossom, quince and light yellow flower aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced entry and good weight and tension, but it tightens up toward a saline, seaweed-influenced finish that is bitter and penetrating. On its own, it feels a little aggressive; however, with bottle age and partnered with food, this will drink supremely well. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Neal Martin. Tasting date: January 2020

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 points
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Drink Date: 2020 - 2032
The 2016 Malartic Lagraviere is blended of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with wild blueberries and black cherries with cassis, bay leaves and dark chocolate nuances plus a hint of charcoal. Medium-bodied with a lively backbone and solid frame of ripe, rounded tannins, it finishes with an herbal lift.
Published: Nov 30, 2018