2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière Rouge

Description

94-96  Wine Enthusiast
“This powerful wine combines juicy black fruits with concentrated tannins to good effect. This density and grip lends to excellent aging potential.” (4/2019)

95  Decanter
“Deep and rich in colour, this is more refined and subdued on the nose than some, with real focus, depth and layers. It needs time in bottle to unveil its potential as everything is curled up right now, from the blueberry and cassis fruits to the liquorice and chocolate touches. With time in the glass, the multitude of layers of spice and slate become apparent. It’s a great quality wine that will not be rushed. 2% Petit Verdot makes up the blend, with 70% new oak for ageing.” Jane Anson (3/2019)

92-95  Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“The 2018 Malartic Lagravière is powerful, rich and explosive, all while retaining a mid-weight sense of structure. Black cherry, plum, gravel, chocolate, leather, lavender spice and licorice all run through this driving, juicy Pessac Léognan. I very much admire the weight and substance here. The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet very much front and center. Tasted three times.” (4/2019)

93-94  James Suckling
“Freshness and depth to this wine with blackberry, blueberry and crushed-stone character on the nose and palate. Full and flavorful, yet with underlying reserve.” (4/2019)

92-94  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“This is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, to be aged for 18-22 months in oak barriques, 70% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Malartic Lagraviere gives scents of baked red and black cherries, warm blackcurrants and balsamic with touches of underbrush, moss-covered bark and tobacco. Full-bodied, firm and chewy in the mouth, it packs in the berry preserves with some pepper and spice sparks coming through on the long finish.” Lisa Perroti-Brown (4/2019)

91-93  Jeb Dunnuck
“The medium-bodied 2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière comes from high-density plantings on gravelly soils and is a rough blend at this point of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc representing only 55% of the total production. Elegant notes of dark fruits (cassis, blackberries), gravelly earth, and forest floor all flow to a seamless Graves that has good balance, some grainy tannins, good mid-palate density, and ample length. It’s certainly going to be an outstanding wine. Tasted twice.” (5/2019)