Malartic Lagravière 2019

Precise, chiselled fruits and tannins, this is concentrated wIthout being overpowering. Enjoyable En Primeur and absolutely living up to its promise, with Pessac glamour that knows where to make an impression and where to pull back. Tons of dark blackberry and damson fruits, confident tannins, and waves of flavour that keep you engaged. 65% new oak. A yield of 46hl/ha. Harvest September 17 to October 11. Tasted twice, two months apart.

Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. Heady, luscious nose. It may lack Graves freshness on the palate – let’s see … it has – just – enough freshness, but is still very unformed and unintegrated. 14%Drink 2028– 2043

The 2019 Château Malartic-Lagravière showed brilliantly, with an elegant, pure, flawlessly balanced style. Giving up ripe black cherry, currants, tobacco leaf, and spicy oak, with textbook Graves scorched earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a beautiful layered, seamless mouthfeel, great tannins, and one heck of a great finish. It's not a blockbuster, but it excels on its elegance, balance, and complexity. Readers will love to have this in the cellar, and it will keep for 20+ years.

The 2019 Malartic Lagravière was picked from 17 September to 11 October at 46hl/ha and sees 65% new French oak for an intended 18 months. It has a lovely bouquet with disarming blackberry, briary and subtle marine scents, just a whiff of brine in the background from the distant Gironde estuary. The palate is medium-bodied with extremely fine tannins that frame the layers of blackberry, raspberry and orange rind notes. Satin-like in texture, this feels reassuringly long in the mouth with a dab of white pepper on the aftertaste. What an outstanding Malartic from the Bonnie family. Tasted from three bottles. 2025 - 2055

This elegance and beauty of this young wine is really something. Incense, sandalwood, currants and chocolate come through on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, very fine-tannined and persistent. Sophisticated. Another 2016?

The 2019 Malartic Lagraviere is a blend of 55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot and 2.8% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 17th of September to the 11th of October. The wine is aging in French oak barrels, 65% new, for approximately 18 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of ripe blackberries, fresh black plums and boysenberries with hints of cedar chest, clove oil, violets and black licorice plus a waft of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with ripe, rich black fruits and a compelling spicy undercurrent, framed by firm, plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. Very impressive!