Château Malartic-Lagravière 2019

Very restrained at this stage, as befits a wine of this calibre, with incredibly tight, dense tannins of notable polish, great tension and therefore length; a terrific wine; one that should definitely not be opened too early.

Very sleek, featuring cassis, mulled plum and raspberry coulis flavors, laced with licorice, alder and sweet tobacco notes. Offers a subtle sous bois hint that peeks in on the finish, so this isn't for the longer haul but is tasty now. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2029. 10,000 cases made.

Lovely vivid bright red-pink in the glass. Pronounced nose, rich and vibrant. On the palate, this is crunchy with density and chew, a nice combination of texture and bright fruit. Lively with blackcurrant, strawberry and red cherry flavours alongside soft hints of dark chocolate and perfume. Delicate but also layered with flavour. I like this a lot. Bright energy with a density that is bold yet refined and sculpted. The texture and overall balance are excellent and this will provide great drinking for the long term. Such a long length. Purity and power. Elegant with finesse, purity and power. Classic and well made.

Very complex aromas of dark berries, mushrooms, earth, flowers and incense. Crushed stone, too. Full-bodied with very fine, refined tannins that are caressing and beautiful. It’s very, very long and persistent in the finish with subtle and complex flavors. This will deliver beauty with age. Drink after 2025.

55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot, 2.8% Cabernet Franc. First vintage with Eric Boissenot consulting. Barrel sample. A little more pinpoint and palate-focused than in the past. Ripe but zesty. Vineyard-fresh dark-berry aroma and flavor. Tannins plentiful but sculpted. Plenty of length and drive. (JL)

The 2019 Malartic Lagravière presents a refined nose of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and light estuarine aromas, very well defined and focused. The palate is framed by fine-grained tannins, and the pure blackberry and raspberry notes are laced with blood orange. Maybe just a little more granular in texture than before, but still wonderfully balanced, with great length and nobility. This will age with style. A sophisticated Pessac-Léognan with a lot of potential.

Deeply colored, the wine jumps out with a showy nose of smoked plum, chocolate, black cherry, espresso, flowers, and crushed rock. The flamboyant, full-bodied palate fills you with layers of velvet-textured, polished blackberries and black cherries, with coffee bean, mocha, and licorice. The wine is elegant, lush, and refined, with silky tannins that deliver length and purity. While you can enjoy it young, its best days are ahead. Drink from 2027–2055.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Black cherry, ripe plum, a hint of nougat, fine oak savouriness. Juicy, pleasant fruit sweetness, ripe tannins, fresh structure, chocolaty touch on the finish, already well developed, gluggable, good certain ageing potential.

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.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot, 2.8% Cabernet Franc, 14.2% alc. vol., production 120,000 bottles) Silky, elegant bouquet, black cherries, raspberry jelly, roasted notes, nougat, mocha yogurt, herbs. Densely woven, fragrant palate with powerful fruit, fine tannins, fresh aromatics, elegant structure, very long, delicate finish with fine lingering aromas.

(55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot, 2.8% Cabernet Franc, 14.2% alc./vol., production 120,000 bottles) Silky, elegant bouquet, black cherries, raspberry jelly, toasted notes, nougat, mocha yogurt, herbs. Densely woven, airy palate with powerful fruit, fine tannins, fresh aromatics, elegant structure, very long, delicate finish with subtle afterflavors. 18/20 2025 - 2048

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.

The 2019 Malartic Lagraviere is deep garnet-purple in color. It is quite closed to begin, delivering notes of cedar and tar, before opening out to an array of black cherries, mulberries, cassis, and fragrant earth scents, plus touches of crushed rocks and bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate has wonderful tension and energy, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and multi-layered.

A perfect Léognan, marked by cedar and spices, structured yet without stiffness, with complex tannins and made for long aging.

The elegance and fruity intensity of the bouquet invite you to savor this wine. It shows notes of morello cherries and blackberries, complemented by a touch of mocha. The wine has body, refreshing energy and, above all, a superb aromatic expression that extends the length of the finish. A great success!

Logo on the capsule: LA Dark, intense, deep purple color. Beautiful, highly aromatic nose: delicate, fruity, pure, and subtle. Supple on the attack, very flavorful mid-palate, highly aromatic; the wine turns juicy, caressing the palate, leading to a finish with slightly apparent tannins. They will integrate with age. Normal length.

The Bonnie family has worked wonders at this estate, producing today one of the top wines of the appellation. This latest release, equally rich in tannins and fruit, is dense, powerful and also elegant. It will age well, and should be ready from 2027.