Château Malartic-Lagraviere 2016

A journey through history, terroir and exceptional wine

At the heart of the Bordeaux region, the Domaine de 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 2016 Malartic-Lagraviere is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot picked between 13-20 October at 46 hectoliters per hectare. It is matured in 80% new oak and the remainder one year old. It has a very composed and pure bouquet with blackberry, mint and just a touch of blueberry, the new oak neatly integrated and menthol developing with time. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, fine structure and a keen line of acidity; this is a pixelated Pessac-Léognan that exudes style and panache. There is an effortless nature to this wine and it feels so persistent in the mouth that you cannot wait to take another sip. This is (another) impressive release from the bonny Bonnie family and do not be surprised if it eventually surpasses the outstanding 2015." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, (04/28/2017), Ratings: 94-96, Drink: 2023-2045

"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. Yield 46hl/ha." - Jane Anson, Decanter, (12/04/2018), Ratings: 95

"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, (03/01/2019), Ratings: 94