2020 Château Malartic-Lagraviere
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Very grassy nose. Lively, crisp, very Sauvignon (though there is about 30% Sémillon, apparently), with subtle oak. Really fresh on the palate and nicely textured to a long, chewy finish. (JH)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Malartic-Lagravière offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, with a slight menthol note that is somewhat distracting. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a keen line of acidity. This is a little richer than the Haut-Bailly, with a licorice-tinged finish. It's not bad overall, though I suspect this was not a representative bottle and will not issue a score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Coming in at close to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière is another brilliant 2020 Pessac-Léognan with loads to offer. Expressive notes of red and black fruit, sweet tobacco, lead pencil, and camphor all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a forward, seamless, sexy profile that already offers pleasure. The tannins are present yet integrated and perfectly ripe, it's balanced, and I suspect it will evolve for a solid two decades or more. Tasted twice. The blend is 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that hit 14.2% natural alcohol.
About the producer
One of few estates classified for both red and white wine production, Malartic-Lagravière was renovated entirely after the Bonnie family purchased it in 1996. They also expanded the property to its current 53 hectares.