| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Pessac Léognan château has been making excellent wines in recent years under the management of owner Jean-Jacques Bonnie, whose family purchased the property in 1997. The 46 hectare vineyard is planted with equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
A fascinating Malartic-Lagraviere from this hot vintage, but the wine is surprisingly fresh, showing depth, innate balance and complexity. The mineral-etched fruit turns glossy, with fine aromas of cassis, berries, plums, spices and a hint of violets. Almost full-bodied, with a complete package of fruit and chalky tannins. Long, juicy and posh. One of the best ever. Drink from 2027.
A bright purple colour in the glass, this is an opulent, slightly candied wine on the nose, full of fruit compote and bakes pastries. The palate is much the same, full of blueberry pie sweetness and soft tannins. It is a round, supple example, feeling a touch of the heat of the vintage. Charred wood and more blueberry on the finish.
A blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Malartic Lagravière reveals a classic, elegant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, flowers and spices. Medium to full-bodied and round, it's elegantly juicy with a generously extracted structure leading the way to an assertive, structured tannic frame, concluding with a spicy, long finish. Notably, the blend has shifted since the en primeur tasting, lending the wine a more introverted character. 2025 - 2032
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Malartic Lagraviere Rouge charges out with profound notes of creme de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, and plum preserves, followed by suggestions of garrigue and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate is taut with dense, muscular black fruits, supported by firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great length.
The Bonnie family is on a roll at this excellent property. Dense and concentrated but with finesse and acidity, this has a beautiful balance, and a creaminess to the fruit that is superb. Appealing pulses of white pepper and sage spice, well drawn out through the palate, exceptional skill shown during ageing at controlling the oak impact. Yields in the low 30hl/h, but maintains freshness. Vinified in a mix of small wooden casks and stainless steel vats, aged in oak.
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Bright, healthy crimson. Rather polished and luscious in texture with very refined tannins and an impressive fruit/acidity balance. Not heavy but certainly harmonious.
Drink 2027– 2042
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Malartic Lagravière reveals aromas of cassis, blueberry, spices, graphite and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated with structuring tannins, it’s a dense, powerful, demonstrative Malartic Lagravière.
This is very, very fine with wonderfully polished tannins that are silky in texture. It’s medium- to full-bodied with lovely length, lasting a minute or two. Hints of crushed stone and fine sea salt. Finesse with structure. Could move up a notch with the elevage. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 2.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc.
Deep plum colour, plush damson and black cherry, with a well textured grain to the tannins that stops things being overly sweet. This is a brilliant Malartic-Lagravière, just absoutely hits the spot between excess and restaint, so much detail and concentration to the fruit, and it manages to pull up just short of too much, delivering a cooler blueberry and mint leaf exit that draws things out through the palate and opens things up for a smoky woodfire soot edge. Total class.
