Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classé Blanc 2013
| Denomination | AOC Pessac Léognan |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Area | Bordeaux (France) |
| Grape varieties | 90% Sauvignon, 10% Semillon |
| Aging | Aged for 12 months on the lees with bâtonnage in traditional French oak barrels (55% new). |
- Origin and vintage: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France; vintage 2013, 0.75 l
- Grape variety: 90% Sauvignon, 10% Semillon; still white wine Grand Cru Classé
- Vinification: hand-picked with double selection, gentle pressing, fermentation in barrique
- Ageing: 12 months on the lees with bâtonnage in French oak, 55% new barrels
- Profile and pairings: woody notes, grapefruit and pineapple; ideal with fish and shellfish
Description
What kind of wine it is
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe Blanc is crafted from a refined blend of Sauvignon and Semillon. On the nose, it reveals a woody and toasted character, combined with exotic notes of pineapple and grapefruit and a distinct mineral signature. On the palate, it offers a soft and delicate texture, with an elegant structure and a precise aromatic balance typical of the Bordeaux region.
Where it comes from
Its origin lies in the Pessac-Léognan area, on well-drained gravel and clay soils that enhance the finesse of the fruit. The vines, trained in double Guyot with very low yields, provide a deep and concentrated expression. The elegant flavour profile pairs perfectly with fish dishes in sauce and shellfish, and is also excellent with white meats and well-aged cheeses.
How it is produced
After a manual harvest with double selection, the grapes undergo slow pressing and cold stabilisation. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature directly in wood. Maturation continues for twelve months in contact with the lees, enriched by periodic bâtonnage in traditional French oak barrels. This careful process consolidates the wine's structure, ensuring a harmonious continuity of flavour.
History and Curiosities
The Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Blanc 2013 embodies the centuries-old elegance of the great white wines of Bordeaux. This prestigious wine is produced from a rigorous manual harvest and matures for twelve months in French oak barrels. The meticulous care in the cellar enhances its superb aromatic balance, earning it 95 points from James Suckling and 94 from Robert Parker. An absolute excellence that reflects the glorious tradition of the Pessac-Léognan AOC, offering the palate an experience of rare refinement.
Awards
-
2013
91/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2013
95/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
-
2013
94/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2013
89/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
-
2013
91/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
14 -16 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
2 hours
An honourable servant to the Kings of France, the Count of Malartic fought as an Admiral against the English on seas all around the globe, particularly distinguishing himself in 1756 at the Battle of Quebec.
The property was bought in 1850 by Madame Arnaud Ricard who added the name Malartic to that of Lagravière in homage to the former owners. She built the house that forms the current left wing of the château.
The estate, renamed Malartic-Lagravière, remained in this family for 140 years, handed down and managed by women. The estate was reorganized and a few small plots were added, giving it the form it would have until the 1950s.
In 1947, Jacques Marly took over management of Malartic-Lagravière after marrying Madame Ricard’s great-great-granddaughter. He managed the estate until 1990, being heavily involved in local wine-growing life, notably during the Graves classification in 1953.
In 1990, the estate was acquired by Champagne Laurent-Perrier. The vines were well cared for, and high-quality work was initiated with the creation of the second wine, originally named Le Sillage de Malartic.
Unfortunately, Laurent-Perrier did not have the time to implement the renovation and improvement projects necessary to produce wines worthy of Malartic-Lagravière’s Cru Classé status.
The Brussels couple Alfred-Alexandre and Michèle Bonnie fell in love with the estate and purchased it in 1997. They quickly began an entire facelift, with the idea of restoring the sleeping beauty to its former glory. They completely overhauled the estate, building a new winery and restoring the château. The couple also bought over former plots of vines, giving the vineyard its current dimension.
In 1998, the new winery received its first harvest. The building, designed by the architect Bernard Mazières, was built on Malartic’s hillside to enable the transport of the grapes by gravity. At that time, this was a pioneering, highly innovative approach.
"La Minerve", Admiral Malartic’s ship, became the symbol of the property, and still appears on the wine labels today.
At the end of 2005, Vignobles Malartic expanded with the acquisition of the neighbouring Château Gazin-Rocquencourt and the bodega DiamAndes in Argentina. Two excellent vineyards that complement the Grand Cru Classé, thereby forming 200 hectares of vines on either side of the Atlantic, which the Bonnie family actively manages with their respective teams. Read more
| Name | Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe Blanc 2013 |
|---|---|
| Type | White still |
| Denomination | Pessac Léognan AOC |
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 90% Sauvignon, 10% Semillon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Vendor | Chateau Malartic Lagraviere |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Blanc 2013 embodies the centuries-old elegance of the great white wines of Bordeaux. This prestigious wine is produced from a rigorous manual harvest and matures for twelve months in French oak barrels. The meticulous care in the cellar enhances its superb aromatic balance, earning it 95 points from James Suckling and 94 from Robert Parker. An absolute excellence that reflects the glorious tradition of the Pessac-Léognan AOC, offering the palate an experience of rare refinement. |
| Origin | Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France |
| Soil composition | Well-drained gravels and clayey gravels |
| Cultivation system | Double Guyot |
| Plants per hectare | 10000 |
| Yield per hectare | 25 hl/ha |
| Fermentation temperature | 20-22 °C |
| Production technique | Hand-harvested with two successive selections, slow pressing, cold stabilisation, fermentation in barriques and ageing on the lees with bâtonnage in French oak barrels |
| Wine making | Hand harvesting with two successive selections. Slow pressing, cold stabilisation and fermentation in barrique. Aged for 12 months on the lees with bâtonnage in traditional French oak barrels (55% new). |
| Aging | Aged for 12 months on the lees with bâtonnage in traditional French oak barrels (55% new). |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |