2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière En Primeur
Released en primeur, Neal Martin declares that 2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière is a wine to "Ignore at your peril. 94-96 points". The glossy black fruit and mineral character manage to give this wine complexity and immediate appeal at the same time and we loved the cask sample that we tasted.
Bordeaux En Primeur, Landing in spring 2023
Limited availability. To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan
Château Malartic-Lagravière is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in the commune of Pessac-Léognan. Originally named just Lagravière, Malartic was added to the name in the 1850s, in honour of the family who owned it at the time and in particular Comte Anne-Joseph-Hippolyte Maures de Malartic, a French Navy Admiral (hence the ship motif on the label).
The estate was purchased in 1997 by the Bonnie family, who have invested a huge amount of money in modernising the winery and vineyards. The 53 hectares are under vine; 46 hectares planted to red grapes, 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 7 hectares are dedicated to white grapes, planted to 80% Sauvignon and 20% Sémillon. The second wine is La Réserve de Malartic.
| RED | 2020 | 6 cases | Château Malartic Lagraviere | 75cl | £275 per case of 12 | Château Malartic Lagraviere 2020 / 6 cases / 75cl £275 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“Cask sample taken 6 April and I'm afraid it is written that it should be tasted before 10 April, five days ago… 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, 1.8% Cabernet Franc. Considerable changes to vinification and ageing here, not least shortening vatting times and careful tannin management in the press wines. Dark purplish crimson. Much more mineral than fruity on the nose. But very luscious fruit on the palate. With racy texture and notably fine tannins. Strongly saline finish. Distinctive and already rather appetising. Approachable young. 14.2%. Drink 2026 – 2042. 17 points.” Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 21.------"The deep purple-black 2020 Malartic Lagraviere leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of Bing cherries, black raspberries, ripe plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of pencil lead, wild sage and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely energy and freshness, offering a solid backbone of grainy tannins to support the lively red and black fruit layers, finishing savory. Drink 2025-2045. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"The 2020 Malartic Lagravière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. There is perhaps a bit less opulence than in years past, but that just gives the wine an extra kick of energy and vibrancy that is quite attractive. Inky red cherry fruit, rose petal, spice, cedar and cinnamon all grace this beautifully taut wine from the Bonnie family. Tasted three times. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Based on a blend of 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that hit 14.2% natural alcohol, the 2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière offers a gorgeously pure nose of both red and blue fruits as well as lots of floral and mineral nuances. Still aging in 65% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has the vintage’s rich, concentrated style yet gorgeous purity of fruit as well as ripe, polished, building tannins. It's one seriously good 2020 that will impress with short-term bottle age and keep for 25 years or more. It's up with the crème de la crème of the appellation. Tasted three times with consistent notes. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 Malartic Lagravière, whose picking was completed on September 24, before the rains, has a bright, vivid nose of mineral-infused red fruit mixed with hints of blueberry and cassis. Very focused and precise, this is an aromatically sophisticated Pessac-Léognan. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, hints of wild mint coming through, and lively and tensile toward the finish. This is one of the best vintages of Malartic Lagravière that I have encountered out of bottle. Ignore at your peril. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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