Château Malartic-Lagravière 2022

Deep, mineral, dark‑fruited, with a hint of blond tobacco and lavender blossoms; elegant attack, wonderfully crisp fruit, compact, with silky tannins; the wine feels hewn from stone, showing breed, precision, and length, with a saline finish.

A blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Malartic Lagravière reveals a classic, elegant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, flowers and spices. Medium to full-bodied and round, it's elegantly juicy with a generously extracted structure leading the way to an assertive, structured tannic frame, concluding with a spicy, long finish. Notably, the blend has shifted since the en primeur tasting, lending the wine a more introverted character.

Warm plum, black currant and black cherry compote notes cruise through slowly, inlaid with singed alder and black tea. Warm earth, bay and burnished leather hints keep the finish nicely grounded. Very solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. 8,330 cases made.

Gorgeous fragrant red berry fruit on the nose, a touch of dried herbs and graphite. So super charming straight away, this is gorgeous. Creamy and juicy so you get both a crunchy bite to the fruit as well as a soft, pillowy texture on the palate. Round, focused and really finessed but delivering so much flavour. Not overdone at all, this is restrained — almost lightweight — letting the crystalline fruit, acidity and integrated tannins speak clearly. Harmonised and balanced, still with tension and poise. A real joy with plenty of ageing potential.

The 2022 Malartic-Lagravière has a more outgoing and expressive nose than Domaine de Chevalier or Smith Haut-Lafitte, yet it too has impressive complexity and convincing terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. A lovely, fleshy mid-palate, quite caressing in style, with fine acidity and a healthy dose of black pepper on the finish. Excellent, a Malartic-Lagravière that pushes some of the pricier names of the appellation. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Lush, full-bodied, creamy, and also vibrant, fresh, and lively, the wine serves up layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, lusciously textured blackberries, plums, and black cherries with ease. There is weight and density, but there is also ample freshness to keep this going on your mid-palate and in the finish. The wine blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot, and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2029–2055.

Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It's easily the finest I've tasted from this château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. The 2022 is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the élevage spanning 20 months in 60% new French oak. There are a little over 8,000 cases of this brilliant wine.

The Bonnie family is on a roll at this excellent property. Dense and concentrated but with finesse and acidity, this has a beautiful balance, and a creaminess to the fruit that is superb. Appealing pulses of white pepper and sage spice, well drawn out across the palate, with exceptional skill shown during ageing in controlling the oak impact. Yields in the low 30 hl/ha, yet it maintains freshness. Vinified in a mix of small wooden casks and stainless steel vats, aged in oak.

A smoky, savory nose with floral and cocoa notes. The palate is fabulous: delicately floral, flowing like the waves of a warm, salty sea.

Malartic Lagravière reveals a touch of its élevage, yet this in fact only underscores the excellent complexity it offers, with nuances of graphite, peony, blueberry, and a hint of licorice sticks. On the palate, the wine combines breadth and finesse. It unfolds in a linear, confident, seamless manner. It can rely on the valuable support of its tannins, which provide measured power, while the structure imparts character and freshness. A delicious, exciting, and convincing wine! A fine success.

Purple-black color. Intense, delicate, fruity, ripe, subtle, vanilla-tinged and noble nose. All the year’s smoothness is here. Rich on the attack, very aromatic mid-palate, the wine unfolds complete and melting, with the silky grace of the vintage. Long finish on black fruit. Refined tannins. It’s superb! Blend: 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 2.4% petit verdot, 1.5% cabernet franc.

This 2022 impresses with its balance between power and refinement. The palate is broad and structured, opening on ripe crushed strawberry, supported by velvety tannins that are present yet superbly integrated. The finish is firm and persistent, asserting the racy character of the gravelly terroir, where well‑drained soils and oceanic influences foster an expression that is both precise and indulgent. Silky, assertive, and of captivating depth, it bears the signature of the great wines of its appellation.

The licorice aroma of this powerful wine and the solid tannins and dense texture are all impressive. It has concentrated black fruits and a structure that promises some serious aging. Drink from 2028.