La Reserve de Malartic 2019

A pure expression of the Malartic terroir in a fine red wine

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
2019 is undoubtedly set to be one of the great vintages of the estate. The daily work of the technical teams, led by Jean-Jacques Bonnie, has borne beautiful fruit. The extreme climate characterizing the 2019 vintage has resulted in wines which showcase the unique nature of the Malartic terroir as well as the identities of the grape varieties planted there. The Merlot is well-rounded and juicy, with an intense aromatic expression, while the Cabernets present very fine tannins, freshness and complexity.

The winemaking
Vinification took place in small frustoconical wooden and stainless steel temperature-controlled vats.

The aging
The wine was aged for around 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels with 25% new wood.

The blend
Merlot (82,6 %), Cabernet Sauvignon (12,3 %), petit verdot (5,1 %).

Tasting

Tasted as a wine future, the La Reserve de Malartic red 2019 is already shaping up to me a beautiful red wine from Pessac-Leognan. This wine expresses an aromatic palette of great delicacy and precision. Freshness, bright fruit, a velvety texture and a fine tannic structure characterize this superb Second Wine from Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere. Definitely another great vintage ending in -9.