Château Malartic-Lagraviere 2015

A journey through history, terroir and exceptional wine

At the heart of the Bordeaux region, the Château Malartic-Lagravière has always been distinguished by the quality of its terroir. Acquired at the end of the 18th century by Count Hippolyte de Maurès de Malartic, from an ancient noble family of Armagnac, this domain witnessed glorious maritime exploits.

Indeed, Count Malartic, a devoted servant to the Kings of France, distinguished himself as an admiral in naval battles against the English worldwide, notably during the Battle of Quebec in 1756. In 1850, Madame Arnaud Ricard, heiress of the domain, added the name Malartic to Lagravière in homage to its illustrious predecessors. Under her leadership, the domain experienced a period of prosperity, marked by the addition of small vineyard parcels and careful management. For nearly 140 years, the domain remained in the family, passed down through generations and primarily managed by women. In 1947, Jacques Marly took the reins of Malartic-Lagravière after marrying a descendant of Madame Ricard. His involvement in local wine-growing life, notably during the Graves classification in 1953, contributed to the domain's renown. In 1990, the domain came under the stewardship of Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Under this new direction, the domain embarked on quality work with the creation of the second wine, Le Sillage de Malartic. However, the renovation projects necessary to preserve Malartic-Lagravière's Cru Classé status were not successfully carried out. In 1997, the domain regained its former splendor when the Brussels couple Alfred-Alexandre and Michèle Bonnie acquired it. They undertook a complete renovation, building a new cellar and restoring the château. The vineyard was expanded, giving the domain its current dimension.

Since then, under the leadership of Véronique and Jean-Jacques Bonnie, the domain is committed to adapting its viticultural practices to contemporary challenges. They also aim to transform this magical place into a space open to visitors, offering an immersive and unforgettable experience at the intersection of digital and terroir.

The 2015 vintage of Château Malartic-Lagravière is an exceptional red Bordeaux from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, renowned for producing wines that combine both power and finesse. The 2015 is a standout year for the estate, with a blend that reflects the estate’s commitment to quality and its ability to produce wines of great depth, structure, and aging potential. This red wine perfectly embodies the unique characteristics of the Left Bank terroir with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (53%), Merlot (35%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). The 2015 Malartic-Lagravière has a deep, intense ruby red color, its reveals a rich profile with a complex bouquet of dark berries (blackcurrant, blackberry), spices, and a touch of cedar from the oak aging. On the palate, the 2015 is a full-bodied wine with a wonderful balance between its intensity and elegance. The tannins are firm yet ripe and smooth, giving the wine structure without overwhelming the palate. The structure and depth of the 2015 Malartic-Lagravière make it an ideal partner for a variety of rich and flavorful dishes like grilled or roasted meats, braised meats or aged cheeses. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for the future, it promises to be a highly satisfying and rewarding experience for any wine lover.

"The 2015 Malartic Lagravière is just as fabulous from bottle as it was from barrel. Rich, voluptuous and dramatic, it captures all of the natural intensity of the year. Black cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate, licorice and French oak build into a crescendo of stunning aromas, flavors and textures. This is in an especially dark, sumptuous style, but it all works beautifully. The 2015 was positively thrilling each of the three times I tasted it." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/27/2018), Ratings: 96

"The 2015 Malartic-Lagraviere is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot that was harvested between 21 September and 7 October at 43 hl/ha, matured in 80% new oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet, a little more reticent than its peers at first, opening gradually with blackberry, raspberry coulis and strawberry pastilles. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, a keen line of acidity, fresh and brisk with plenty of mineralité on the finish. This is a classic, serious Malartic with huge potential. Chapeau to the Bonnie family for creating a stupendous Pessac-Léognan." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, (04/27/2016, Issue 224), Ratings: 94-96, Drink: 2020-2050

"Dark, rich, serious, well-extracted fruit; firm but with just the right pressure on the pedal. One that will age very well, continuing a run of strong vintages here. Cinnamon and black pepper spice from 7% Petit Verdot – increasingly common in Pessac-Léognan. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, 80% new oak." - Jane Anson, (05/02/2016), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2025-2038