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

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

Perfectly developed nose with good complexity, offering ripe fruit, notes of sweet spices, full-bodied, straightforward tannins, and good harmony. A lovely second wine.

About the estate:

Perfectionist owners, the Bonnies have masterfully renovated the property's technical facilities, restored and expanded the vineyard, and above all, transformed the wines. These Belgian wine enthusiasts bought the estate from Laurent-Perrier champagne 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 covers 53 hectares, including 7 hectares of white grapes, certified as sustainably farmed. The second wine, formerly known as Sillage-de-Malartic, became La Réserve-de-Malartic in 2006. The reds, which are rigorously selected, possess astonishing strength and integrity, which in no way detract from their natural finesse. The recent whites are also remarkable: they have gained in volume and smoothness on the palate and are racy, lively and well-balanced. La Réserve de Malartic, both white and red, proves to be the true little brother of the great wine.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Dark purple in color, La Réserve de Malartic 2016 presents notes of plums, cooked blackberries, and smoky notes, as well as hints of bay leaves, pencil lead, and tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate and garnished with black fruits, the mouth reveals supple, refined tannins and a brilliant finish.

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

About wine:

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

About the estate:

Malartic-Lagravière perfectly illustrates the appellation's revival, having made spectacular progress since its purchase in 1998 by Belgian entrepreneur Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie. With his son Jean-Jacques, daughter Véronique, and daughter-in-law Séverine, the estate has, in just a few years, made up for the ground it lost while under the wing of the Champagne group Laurent-Perrier. The vineyard, superbly located on a gravelly hillock behind the château, is perfectly maintained, and modern technical facilities have enabled the reds to gain in body and depth, thanks in particular to a vineyard that is maturing and becoming more deeply rooted. The reds have never been better and are among the most interesting in the appellation. The whites also adopt a very accomplished, refined and generous style. Careful observation of the aging process led the estate to invest in 350- and 500-liter wooden containers for vinification and aging.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About wine:

It is ripe and supple, yet elegant, with medium body and a long, silky finish that is ready to drink now. Attractive blueberry character. Drink now or cellar.