Château Malartic-Lagravière 2015 - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The nose is expressive and elegant, with notes of both white fruit and citrus, and a well-defined minerality. The palate is superb—full-bodied, straightforward, tight, highly aromatic, pure, and endowed with excellent liveliness. Taut and balanced, with class.

As perfectionist owners, the Bonnies have masterfully renovated the estate’s technical facilities, restored and expanded the vineyard, and—above all—transformed the wines. These Belgian wine enthusiasts purchased the estate from the Laurent-Perrier champagne house in 1990 and have brought it to its highest level. Their son, Jean-Jacques, has taken over, with the same attention to detail and commitment to excellence. The vineyard spans 53 hectares, including 7 hectares of white grape varieties, certified under sustainable agriculture practices. The second wine, formerly known as “Sillage-de-Malartic,” became “La Réserve de Malartic” in 2006. The reds, rigorously selected, possess astonishing strength and structure, which in no way detract from their innate finesse. The recent vintages of the whites are also remarkable: they have gained body and smoothness; they are racy, lively, and well-balanced. La Réserve de Malartic, in both white and red, proves to be the true “little brother” of the grand vin.

With its elegant, sparkling pale yellow color, this 2015 vintage—made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc—is thoroughly seductive, with a precise, fresh, floral, and fruity bouquet reminiscent of white fruits, particularly green apple. Firm, complex, and rich, the palate follows suit, offering lively vibrancy and well-balanced oak.

Malartic Lagraviere 2015 White is a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, fermented in barrels—65% new oak and 35% one-use barrels—and aged on lees for 12 months. It offers pleasant aromas of lime juice and lemon zest, along with notes of green apples, fresh straw, and a hint of stone, plus a touch of white flowers. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, refined, elegant, and refreshing, with great intensity and length.

Its rich body is a testament to the Sauvignon's beautiful maturity, offering a well-rounded palate.

A perfect example of the appellation’s revival, Malartic-Lagravière has made spectacular progress since its acquisition in 1998 by Belgian entrepreneur Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie. With his son Jean-Jacques, his daughter Véronique, and his daughter-in-law Séverine, the estate has, in just a few years, made up for the ground it had lost during its time under the umbrella of the Champagne-based Laurent-Perrier group. The vineyard, superbly situated on a gravelly ridge behind the château, is impeccably maintained, and modern winemaking facilities have allowed the reds to gain in fullness and depth of body—particularly thanks to a vineyard that is maturing and developing deeper roots. The reds have never been better and rank among the most interesting in the appellation. The whites also exhibit a very refined, polished, and generous style. Careful observation of the aging process led the estate to invest in 350- and 500-liter wooden barrels for vinification and aging.

Vibrant aromas of lemons, limes, and tropical fruits. Hints of mango and melon. The palate is silky, with a round fruit profile and lovely balance. Impressive. 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon. Ready to drink or worth cellaring.