Château Malartic-Lagravière 2000

Tasting Characteristics and Notes for Château Malartic-Lagravière 2000

Tasting Notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep ruby red colour, enhanced by subtle coppery and orange nuances that reflect its patient evolution.

Nose
The bouquet proves particularly complex and intense. It exudes rich aromas of blackcurrant and plum, harmoniously blended with notes of undergrowth, blond tobacco and black truffle. Delicate toasted touches of coffee, smoke and a fine minerality complete this seductive olfactory palette.

Palate
The attack is generous and vigorous, paving the way for a palate that is both full-bodied and elegant. The silky texture envelops flavours of dark fruits and very ripe cherries, enhanced by truffled notes. The whole shines through its balance, carried by a pleasant freshness that stretches towards a finish of great finesse.

Food and Wine Pairings

This great red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or braised meats, as well as game dishes. It will beautifully complement a roasted rack of lamb served with root vegetables, a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, or a duck breast served with a red berry reduction. To finish the meal, it will ideally accompany aged hard cheeses such as old Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and Cellaring

Château Malartic-Lagravière 2000 is a long-ageing wine that has now reached its peak. It is recommended to enjoy it until around 2020, in order to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and perfectly rounded tannins.

A Red Wine from Pessac-Léognan Combining Power and Elegance

The Estate

The estate's winemaking history began at the end of the 18th century, but it was in 1850 that it officially took the name Château Malartic-Lagravière. Located south of Bordeaux, this prestigious estate today spans 73 hectares. Belonging to the very exclusive circle of Graves classified growths for both its red and white wines, the estate has been managed since 1997 by the Bonnie family. Today, Véronique and Jean-Jacques Bonnie continue the estate's tradition of excellence, combining respect for the historic terroir with innovative agroecological practices.

The Vineyard

The vines dedicated to red wines cover an area of 46 hectares within the renowned Pessac-Léognan appellation. The exceptional terroir consists of well-drained gravel and clay-gravel soils, resting on a subsoil of clay and shell limestone. The vines are trained using the double Guyot method, in full respect of the environment. The estate promotes biodiversity and agroecology by limiting soil tillage and integrating horses and sheep for the natural upkeep of the plots.

The Vintage

The year 2000 began with a wet spring, leading to significant mildew pressure early in the season. Fortunately, the return of dry weather from 14 May onwards allowed for optimal flowering. August and September, both particularly dry, halted vegetative growth early, encouraging a swift and even start to ripening. A superb end of summer provided ideal conditions for harvesting grapes rich in sugars and anthocyanins, with high-quality tannins.

Winemaking and Ageing

To craft Château Malartic-Lagravière 2000, the grapes were vinified in a modern gravity-flow winery. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and oak vats over a period of three to five weeks, at a temperature maintained between 28 and 30°C. Ageing then continued for 17 months in traditional oak barrels, 80% of which were new. This meticulous process was overseen by the renowned consulting oenologists Michel Rolland and Athanase Fakorellis.

Grape Varieties

This wine is crafted from a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.