Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan rouge 2016 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Nose of great complexity and elegance, very ripe fruit, dense yet satiny texture, with a beautiful grain, freshness and above all great persistence. All in harmony, will age superbly. Drink before 2035.

About the domain :

As perfectionist owners, the Bonnie family have masterfully renovated the estate's technical facilities, refurbished and extended the vineyard and, above all, transformed the wines. These wine-loving Belgians bought the estate from Champagne Laurent-Perrier in 1990, and have since taken it to its highest level. Son Jean-Jacques has taken over, with the same care and commitment to excellence. The vineyard covers 53 hectares, including 7 hectares of white grapes, certified under sustainable agriculture. The second wine, formerly called sillage-de-malartic, became la-réserve-de-malartic in 2006. The rigorously selected reds possess astonishing strength and uprightness of constitution, without detracting from their native finesse. The recent whites are also remarkable: they have gained in mouthfeel and smoothness, and are racy, nervous and well-balanced. Réserve-de-malartic, in both white and red, is proving to be the true little brother of the grand vin.

Decanter

About the wine:

Its color is rich and deep, with a luminosity that gives it nuance and freshness. This is a fine 2016 vintage, balanced but less powerful than some other estates, yet perfectly reflecting the refinement of the appellation. The discreet aromas of roasted red fruit take their time to reveal themselves. The wine is still very closed, but the licorice and slate notes become clearer after 10 minutes in the glass, and it has already gained in depth in the few years since bottling. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Yield: 46 hl/ha. 2026-2042

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

The Malartic is superb, very defined, with a fresh expression of fruit and a palate that is both mellow and energetic.

About the domain :

A perfect illustration of the appellation's revival, Malartic-Lagravière has made spectacular progress since it was bought by Belgian entrepreneur Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie in 1998. With his son Jean-Jacques, daughter Véronique and daughter-in-law Séverine, the estate has made up in a few short years the lost ground it had accumulated when it became part of the Champagne group Laurent-Perrier. The vineyard, superbly situated on a gravelly hillside behind the château, is perfectly tended, and modern technical facilities have enabled the reds to gain in fullness and depth of body, thanks in particular to a vineyard that is getting older and more deeply rooted. The reds have never been so good, and are among the most interesting in the appellation. The whites, too, are very accomplished, well-crafted and generous. Observational work on ageing has led the cru to invest in 350- and 500-litre wooden containers for vinification and ageing.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

The Bonnie family estate has produced a wine with a rich structure, full of ripe tannins characteristic of the vintage. To balance this structure, powerful aromas of blackcurrant and black fruit bring a beautiful maturity. This is a wine for laying down, to be enjoyed after 2026.

James Suckling

About the wine:

I love its deep, complex nose, where the blackcurrant and mint of the Cabernet Sauvignon blend harmoniously with the more generous blackberry of the ripe Merlot. And the vanilla and toasty notes of the oak are perfectly integrated. On the palate, it gradually reveals itself; the first impression is that of a ripe, delicate wine, then the fine tannins assert themselves with force and illuminate the palate. Very long finish. Drink now or cellar.