Chateau Malartic Lagraviere 2015

JAMES SUCKLING: "Deeper wine from the get-go with dark violets, mocha, cassis and blackberries. The palate has suave, smooth and sturdy tannins and terrific length. Very polished and seamless with flavors of fresh black cherries, blackcurrants and blue plums. Best from 2022."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Full of black-currant flavor, this firm wine has structure and a rich texture. Its bolstering tannins and vibrant acidity mark out an age-worthy selection. Spice tones and a dry core set the stage for a slow development into an even more complex and fulfilling wine. "

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Luscious, silky, ripe, deep, dark red fruits are found from start to finish here. The wine is round, polished, full bodied and long. The fruit is sweet, ripe and leaves a lingering impression on the palate. In time, as the oak further integrates, this will be a super wine to enjoy over the next 2 decades."

DECANTER: "I enjoyed this en primeur, and it continues to deliver now it's in bottle. Sauvignon Blanc dominant, it has a wisp of grilled almonds and clear citrus grip that travels down the palate. A bright Pessac Léognan with real character and ageing potential. Drinking Window 2018 - 2027."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung, frische Herzkirschen, zarter Nougat, feine Kräuterwürze, etwas Cassis und kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, elegant, mineralisch, frisch strukturiert, feiner Nougat, extraktsüße Frucht im Abgang, bleibt haften, verfügt über Zukunftspotenzial."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 80% of which were new and 20% one-year-old, the 2015 Malartic Lagraviere is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has notes of crushed black currants, fresh black berries and black raspberries with hints of tar, dried herbs and garrigue. The palate is medium-bodied, energetic and refreshing in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins and an uplifting finish."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2015 Malartic-Lagravière is also terrific and comes from a 46-hectare vineyard in Léognan. Made from 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a smorgasbord of aromatics including red currants, ripe cherries, cassis, licorice, toasty oak, and spice. With full-bodied richness, building tannin, and a rounded, sumptuous style, as well as a great finish, it’s going to benefit from several years in the cellar and keep for 15-20 years."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A slightly high-pitched style, with a mix of red currant and raspberry fruit laced with rooibos tea and blood orange notes. A good snap of licorice adds weight on the finish, showing a flash of tar. Has sneaky depth and should evolve well in the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2028. 10,000 cases made. "

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur- Granat. Extrem süsses, dropsiges Bouquet, in den Röstnoten sind auch gewisse Malaga- und Jungportkonturen zu erspüren. Im zweiten Ansatz gekochte Piemontkirschen und dunkle Schokonoten. Im Gaumen mit gutem Fruchtdruck, wieder auf Kirschen setzend, gut stützende Säure, irgendwie spürt man da auch eine deutliche Extraktion. Im Innern sind kernige, ja grüne Tanninreste zu finden."