La Réserve de Malartic 2016 - Second vin du Château Malartic-Lagravière

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A perfectly open nose with good complexity, offering ripe fruit, hints of sweet spices, a full-bodied palate, firm tannins, and good balance. A lovely second wine.

About the estate:

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 Laurent-Perrier in 1990 and have brought it to its highest level. Their son Jean-Jacques has taken over, with the same dedication 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 structural integrity, which in no way detract from their innate finesse. The recent whites are also remarkable: they have gained in body and richness, and are racy, lively, and balanced. La Réserve de Malartic, in both white and red, proves to be the true younger sibling of the grand vin.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep purple in color, the 2016 La Réserve de Malartic offers notes of plums, ripe blackberries, and smoky hints, along with nuances of bay leaf, pencil lead, and tobacco. Medium-bodied and rich with black fruit, the palate reveals supple, refined tannins and a brilliant finish.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

It’s certainly not lacking in richness, with lovely, juicy fruit and a very round mid-palate.

About the estate:

A perfect illustration 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 hillock behind the château, is impeccably maintained, and modern technical facilities have allowed the reds to gain in fullness and depth of body, particularly thanks to a vineyard that is maturing and becoming more deeply rooted. 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. Close observation of the aging process led the estate to invest in 350- and 500-liter wooden barrels for vinification and aging.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

It is ripe and supple, yet elegant, with medium body and a long, silky finish—ready to drink now. It has an alluring blueberry character. Enjoy now or cellar.