Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere 2020

A silky and aromatic red wine from Pessac-Leognan signed Malartic-Lagraviere

The estate

Under ownership by Bonnie family, the majestic Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere has experienced spectacular growth. This Classified Growth of Graves enjoys an exceptional location, with its vineyard superbly situated on an outcropping gravel. With its state-of-the-art technical facilities, Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere shines in Pessac-Leognan, producing white and red wines that stand out as some of the appellation’s very best.

The vineyard

The Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere vineyard covers 73 hectares of vines, including 64 planted with red varietals in the AOC Pessac-Leognan. The soils are made up of dry, clayey gravel upon subsoils of shell limestone with veins of clay.

The vintage

The mild conditions at the start of the season favored early bud burst. Spring was marked by cool temperatures and high humidity, and was followed by a month of March punctuated by episodes of frost. While the month of April was very hot, rainy days in May combined with 10 sunny days, allowing for a rapid and even flowering. Following the fruit set, heavy rains brought about significant mildew pressure in June. From mid-June, the weather was beautiful and dry, even scorching hot at times. Rain on August 11 was beneficial for the vineyard. The rigorous monitoring of the vines by the vineyard teams and the well-drained soils of the estate allowed for an optimal development of the vines despite these extreme conditions.

Vinification and aging

Harvested manually, the grapes were rigorously sorted before undergoing precise plot-by-plot vinification in small tapered oak or thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. The winemaking was minimalist, helping to preserve and enhance the purity of the fruit. Aging lasted around 18 months on fine lees in French oak barrels with a proportion of 65% new oak.

The blend

The Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere 2020 was made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (39%), Cabernet-Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%).

The tasting

The 2020 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere red seduces with its concentration, freshness, fine tannins and aromatic power. Bright and structured, the palate reveals a silky feel and good density.