Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe des Graves Rouge 2021
Other years:
2015| Denomination | AOC Pessac Léognan |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.0% by volume |
| Area | Bordeaux (France) |
| Grape varieties | 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot |
| Aging | 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels (80% new) |
| Other years | 2015 |
- Bordeaux blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 3%
- Aged in oak: 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 80% new
- Aromatic character: blackcurrant and mint, blackberry and vanilla, with refined notes of toasted oak
- Serving suggestion: decant for 1 hour and serve at 16-18°C; ideal with beef, pork and cheeses
- Ratings and longevity: 94 James Suckling, 92 Parker; ageing potential 10-15 years
Description
What kind of wine it is
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe des Graves Red is a prestigious Bordeaux red wine, the result of a meticulous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. On the nose, it reveals a deep and complex profile, where blackcurrant and mint merge with notes of blackberry, vanilla and refined toasted nuances. The palate opens with a delicate entry, supported by fine-grained tannins leading to a long and persistent finish.
Where it comes from
This red originates from the renowned Pessac-Léognan appellation, in an area of excellence classified as Grand Cru Classé des Graves. The vines of Chateau Malartic-Lagravière are cultivated following organic and sustainable practices on well-drained gravelly hills, characterised by a clay and limestone subsoil. This geological composition ensures balanced ripening of the grapes, trained using the double Guyot method, giving the wine a defined structure and remarkable precision on the palate.
How it is produced
Following a manual harvest, vinification involves temperature-controlled fermentation in steel vats or wooden tanks. The wine then matures on its fine lees for eighteen months in French oak barrels. This ageing process enhances its complexity, making it ideal for pairing with red meats, pork and mature cheeses. To best appreciate its wide aromatic range at a temperature of 16-18 °C, a one-hour decanting is recommended.
History and Curiosities
Managed by the Bonnie family, the prestigious Château Malartic Lagravière embodies the excellence of the Pessac-Léognan appellation with its superb Grand Cru Classé de Graves. This exceptional Bordeaux red comes to life within a recently restored gravity-flow winery, a technical gem designed to preserve the absolute purity of the grapes. The elegant label, dominated by the historic ship La Minerve, celebrates its unique identity, while the quality of the 2021 vintage is sealed by the excellent scores from James Suckling and Robert Parker.
Awards
-
2021
94/100
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.
-
2021
92/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2021
88/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
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 des Graves Rouge 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red green still |
| Denomination | Pessac Léognan AOC |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Vendor | Chateau Malartic Lagraviere |
| Story | History and Curiosities Managed by the Bonnie family, the prestigious Château Malartic Lagravière embodies the excellence of the Pessac-Léognan appellation with its superb Grand Cru Classé de Graves. This exceptional Bordeaux red comes to life within a recently restored gravity-flow winery, a technical gem designed to preserve the absolute purity of the grapes. The elegant label, dominated by the historic ship La Minerve, celebrates its unique identity, while the quality of the 2021 vintage is sealed by the excellent scores from James Suckling and Robert Parker. |
| Origin | Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France |
| Soil composition | Well-drained gravels and clayey gravels on a calcareous and clayey subsoil |
| Cultivation system | Double Guyot |
| Yield per hectare | 4,600 kg/hectare |
| Fermentation temperature | 28-30 °C |
| Fermentation | Approximately 30 days |
| Production technique | Manual harvest; fermentation for about 30 days at 28-30 °C in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks or oak vats; ageing 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels (80% new) |
| Wine making | Manual harvest; fermentation for about 30 days at 28-30 °C in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks or oak vats; aged 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels (80% new). |
| Aging | 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels (80% new) |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |