2022, Château Malartic-Lagravières Rouge, PESSAC-LÉOGNAN Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

This Pessac Léognan château has been making excellent wines in recent years under the management of owner Jean-Jacques Bonnie. The 2022 is 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 2.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc.

This is very, very fine with wonderfully polished tannins that are silky in texture. It’s medium-to-full-bodied with lovely length, lasting a minute or two. Hints of crushed stone and fine sea salt. Finesse with structure. Could move up a notch with the elevage. 95-96 James Suckling.

Deep plum colour, plush damson and black cherry, with a well textured grain to the tannins that stops things being overly sweet. This is a brilliant Malartic-Lagravière, just absoutely hits the spot between excess and restaint, so much detail and concentration to the fruit, and it manages to pull up just short of too much, delivering a cooler blueberry and mint leaf exit that draws things out through the palate and opens things up for a smoky woodfire soot edge. Total class. 96 Jane Anson, Decanter.

Blackberry, iodine and incense aromas unfurl in the glass, nicely focused and delineated, quite airy in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Cohesive and powdery in texture, with black fruit, crushed stone and light ash-like notes toward the finish. This is an excellent Malartic that will age with style, though it will only repay the patient. 93-95 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Drinking Window: 2030 - 2065