Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan blanc 2018 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

As perfectionist owners, the Bonnie family have masterfully renovated the estate's technical facilities, refurbished and extended the vineyard and, above all, transformed the wines. These wine-loving Belgians bought the estate from Champagne Laurent-Perrier in 1990, and have since taken it to its highest level. Son Jean-Jacques has taken over, with the same care and commitment to excellence. The vineyard covers 53 hectares, including 7 hectares of white grapes, certified under sustainable agriculture. The second wine, formerly called sillage-de-malartic, became la-réserve-de-malartic in 2006. The rigorously selected reds possess astonishing strength and uprightness of constitution, without detracting from their native finesse. The recent whites are also remarkable: they have gained in mouthfeel and smoothness, and are racy, nervous and well-balanced. Réserve-de-malartic, in both white and red, is proving to be the true little brother of the grand vin.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

A perfect illustration of the appellation's revival, Malartic-Lagravière has made spectacular progress since it was bought by Belgian entrepreneur Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie in 1998. With his son Jean-Jacques, daughter Véronique and daughter-in-law Séverine, the estate has made up in a few short years the lost ground it had accumulated when it became part of the Champagne group Laurent-Perrier. The vineyard, superbly situated on a gravelly hillside behind the château, is perfectly tended, and modern technical facilities have enabled the reds to gain in fullness and depth of body, thanks in particular to a vineyard that is getting older and more deeply rooted. The reds have never been so good, and are among the most interesting in the appellation. The whites, too, are very accomplished, well-crafted and generous. Observational work on ageing has led the cru to invest in 350- and 500-litre wooden containers for vinification and ageing.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of apricot, passion fruit, lemon tart and custard, as well as fennel and cloves. Full-bodied, with lively acidity and a creamy texture. Long, round, mineral finish. Very tight and structured. Drink or hold.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh and mineral, with good structure and intensity. Hints of white flowers, fresh lemon and, to a lesser extent, vine peach are combined with touches of fresh gravel/minerality (terroir) and a very discreet hint of yuzu. Fresh, fruity and well-balanced on the palate, with good definition, suavity, lovely tension, straightforwardness, balance and a fine acidity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of ripe lemon, ripe tangerine and, more lightly, Granny Smith apple, combined with hints of quenette, crushed vine peach and a touch of lychee and flower. Good length. A lovely wine with a fine grain and a nice gourmandise.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The wine reveals its nose of green apple, yellow citrus, lemon curd, vanilla and floral aromas with ease. Vibrant, juicy, soft and creamy, with stony accents on its layers of fruit, the sweetness and lightness of the finish are pleasing.