Château Malartic Lagravière rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2018

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

Racy in feel, with good cut to the mix of lemon pith, tarragon, verbena and thyme notes melding through the finish, where a lemon curd accent checks in. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2023. — JM

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Malartic-Lagravière was tasted in Bordeaux, where I was not happy with the sample bottle that came across perplexingly green. The château sent two bottles so that I could re-taste them at home and these bore none of those traits. It has an intense bouquet with copious red cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry fruit. Monitoring over an hour it evolves attractive floral scents of lavender and iris flowers. The palate is medium-bodied, the new oak quite prominent on the entry though there is sufficient fruit to back it up. This is a more sumptuous Malartic Lagravière, armed with impressive density towards the finish.

WeinWisser

17,5 / 20

the5/7/2019

Vinifera

90-92 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Assez fermé dans l'aromatique mais les tanins sont très élégants et la trame raffinée, c'est bon.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

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.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

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.

La Revue du Vin de France

17-17,5 / 20

the4/24/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Almost opaque in color with violet, purple hues around the rim, the wine is intensely concentrated. Opulent, silky, sexy and dense, the necessary addition of acidity keeps this focused in the right direction. The fruit offers a spectrum of black and red berries, smoky licorice and espresso infused plums. The velvet textured finish comes with lift, energy and length. This is a very polished, seductive expression of the vineyard. Produced from a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.8% alcohol. Aging will take place in 70% new, French oak barrels for 18-22 months. The harvest took place from September 26 to October 12 and 55% of the harvest was placed into the Grand Vin.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

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.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This powerful wine combines juicy black fruits with concentrated tannins to good effect. This density and grip lends to excellent aging potential.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

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.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

92 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

This has a big ball of warm plum and boysenberry compote notes at the core, framed with a liberal dose of singed cedar and apple wood. Hasn't integrated fully yet, but there's good length and energy here, with a positive vibe.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/1/2019

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.
Drinking Window 2028 - 2045