Chateau Malartic Lagraviere 2016

The estate was originally known as Domaine de Lagraviere. In 1803, Pierre de Malartic purchased the estate. His uncle was a famous Admiral, the Comte de Malartic. Unlike most other Chateau whose name is changed upon a change in ownership; When the estate is sold in 1850, the new owner changes the name of the estate to Chateau Malartic Lagraviere to honor a past owner. The family retained control until 1990 when the champagne house Laurent Perrier purchased the estate. Seven years later, the Bonnie family purchased the property. The estate still bears notice to the rich sailing history with ships on the bottle labels and in the iron gates to the Chateau.

The vineyard area consists of 41 hectares of the red grape varieties 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, with 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

Wine Spectator: 92
Ripe and fresh, with bright cherry, plum and currant pâte de fruit flavors that have a racy edge while roasted apple wood, sweet tobacco and red licorice notes fill in through the lengthy finish. Thoroughly delicious, and approachable now or capable of some cellaring. Drink now through 2030.

Wine Advocate: 92
The 2016 Malartic Lagraviere is blended of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with wild blueberries and black cherries with cassis, bay leaves and dark chocolate nuances plus a hint of charcoal. Medium-bodied with a lively backbone and solid frame of ripe, rounded tannins, it finishes with an herbal lift.

Decanter: 95
The colour is rich and deep but with luminosity that gives nuance and fresh air. It's a lovely 2016, poised but not as powerful as some in the vintage, yet every inch the sophisticated reflection of the appellation. Restrained grilled berry fruits take their time to unfurl. It's still very closed but the liquorice and slate notes become clearer after 10 minutes in the glass, and the wine has already deepened in the few years since bottling. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Decanter: 95

The colour is rich and deep but with luminosity that gives nuance and fresh air. It's a lovely 2016, poised but not as powerful as some in the vintage, yet every inch the sophisticated reflection of the appellation. Restrained grilled berry fruits take their time to unfurl. It's still very closed but the liquorice and slate notes become clearer after 10 minutes in the glass, and the wine has already deepened in the few years since bottling. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Wine Enthusiast: 96
Beautifully wood aged, with subtle hints of spice, this is an elegant, textured wine, ripe with white fruit tones and layered with intense, fresh acidity. Its bright highlights are tempered by warm fruitiness and by the mineral texture that promises aging. Cellar Selection.

Vinous: 95
The 2016 Malartic Lagravire is a stunningly beautiful wine. Rich, sumptuous and creamy, it captures all the intensity of the vintage while retaining considerable brightness, energy and lift. Propped up by lively acids, the flavors are remarkably vivid and delineated in this moving, exceptionally beautiful wine. Even with all of its density, the 2016 retains tons of freshness and energy. Ripe red stone fruits, graphite, smoke and cured meats add nuance throughout. Michel Rolland is the consultant. Tasted three times.

Vinous: 95

The 2016 Malartic Lagravire is a stunningly beautiful wine. Rich, sumptuous and creamy, it captures all the intensity of the vintage while retaining considerable brightness, energy and lift. Propped up by lively acids, the flavors are remarkably vivid and delineated in this moving, exceptionally beautiful wine. Even with all of its density, the 2016 retains tons of freshness and energy. Ripe red stone fruits, graphite, smoke and cured meats add nuance throughout. Michel Rolland is the consultant. Tasted three times.

James Suckling: 96
I love the deep and complex nose, in which the cassis and mint of cabernet sauvignon are beautifully married to the more generous blackberry of ripe merlot and the vanilla and toasty notes from the oak are marvelously integrated. On the palate it creeps up on you slowly; the first impression is ripe yet delicate, then the fine-grained tannins charge through and light up the sky. Very long finish. Drink or hold.

James Suckling: 96

I love the deep and complex nose, in which the cassis and mint of cabernet sauvignon are beautifully married to the more generous blackberry of ripe merlot and the vanilla and toasty notes from the oak are marvelously integrated. On the palate it creeps up on you slowly; the first impression is ripe yet delicate, then the fine-grained tannins charge through and light up the sky. Very long finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94
As to the red, the grand vin is the 2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). Aged in 80% new barrels and hitting 13.5% natural alcohol, it offers a deep purple color with beautiful cassis, tobacco, crushed rocks, and subtle incense aromas and flavors. Balanced, medium to full-bodied, and straight-up seamless on the palate, it’s another brilliant Graves that offers ample pleasure today yet will keep for 20+ years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94

As to the red, the grand vin is the 2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). Aged in 80% new barrels and hitting 13.5% natural alcohol, it offers a deep purple color with beautiful cassis, tobacco, crushed rocks, and subtle incense aromas and flavors. Balanced, medium to full-bodied, and straight-up seamless on the palate, it’s another brilliant Graves that offers ample pleasure today yet will keep for 20+ years or more.