Le Comte de Malartic Pessac-Léognan rouge 2019 - Second vin

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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Full of brambly fruit, fresh and expressive on the nose, it smells rich and ripe with the sweetest touch of perfume. Without fuss, the fruit takes pride of place, with blackcurrant and red cherry bursting through. A subtle creaminess also adds definition and texture. Good acidity, freshness and vivacity. Tannins are a little dry on the finish. 2023 - 2036

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 hill behind the château, is perfectly tended, and the 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

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

La Réserve de Malartic 2019 is a delicate, charming wine to drink now and over the next few years. Luscious notes of red cherry, spice, dried leaf, tobacco, blood orange and incense give the 2019 a lovely complexity that matches its medium-bodied personality. 2022 - 2029

James Suckling

About the wine:

Black fruit and plum aromas are marked by notes of tile, stone and dusty soil. Full-bodied and extremely refined, with fine tannins and fruit. Redcurrants and a hint of chocolate on the finish. Second wine.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Dark purple color with violet highlights and an almost black core. Aromatic nose with an assertive character, aromas reminiscent of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, graphite and hints of gunflint. Well-structured palate with ripe tannins, fresh acidity, crisp red fruit and very good length. A well-balanced wine.