CHATEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIERE Rouge Pessac-Leognan 2020 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.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 - 94 points
Drink Date: 2025 - 2045
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 20th May 2021
"The deep purple-black 2020 Malartic Lagraviere leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of Bing cherries, black raspberries, ripe plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of pencil lead, wild sage and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely energy and freshness, offering a solid backbone of grainy tannins to support the lively red and black fruit layers, finishing savory. The tentative blend is 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and 1.8% Cabernet Franc, with only 38% of production going into the grand vin. The alcohol is 14% this year. Commencing with the 2020 vintage, the estate has chosen a new bottle for the grand cru and second vin, highlighted by an engraved ship, the symbol of the estate."

JAMES SUCKLING 94-95 Points
26 Apr, 2021 – "Lots of blackberry, cherry and walnut aromas and flavors. Some tar, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and energetic. It turns linear and long at the end. Juicy too."

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by Jane Anson
Part of Best Pessac-Léognan 2020 wines tasted en primeur
"Concentration and intensity to the cassis and bilberry fruits. Well expressed, carefully extracted and there is good balance with a crushed mint freshness on the finish. Really starts to show subtle floral edging with time in the glass. It has a silky texture and a finessed fresh core that holds interest from beginning to end. Another successful year at this estate. Tasted twice, and this is one of the successes of the appellation. A yield of 26hl/ha (24hl/ha Cabernets, 28l/ha Merlots) compared to 46hl/ha last year. 65% new oak, harvest from 9 to 24 September. Second year with Eric Boissenot as consultant. Drinking Window 2029 - 2044."

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
Drink: 2026 - 2042
Full bottle 1,305 g. Cask sample taken 6 April and I'm afraid it is written that it should be tasted before 10 April, five days ago… 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, 1.8% Cabernet Franc. Considerable changes to vinification and ageing here, not least shortening vatting times and careful tannin management in the press wines. Dark purplish crimson. Much more mineral than fruity on the nose. But very luscious fruit on the palate. With racy texture and notably fine tannins. Strongly saline finish. Distinctive and already rather appetising. Approachable young.