Château Malartic Lagraviere Rouge 2022 Pessac-Léognan

Decanter
96/100 punten
Round, concentrated, vibrant and dynamic, a lovely burst of intense red and black fruits before quite serious tannins take hold in the mouth. Fine but full, they give the frame and the structure, setting the tone for a serious wine while the fruit and freshnes softly expand giving an aerial element to the finish. A lovely wine with intensity and detail, not the most demonstrative or juicy and appealing right now, but really well made and delivered. Supple, bright, chalky, chewy, this wine has intensity and precision. A little bit serious towards the end, the fruit just losing some focus, where it becomes more about the tannins and freshness but lots to like here with good potential. 1.5% Cabernet Franc. A yield 27hl/ha. HVE3 certified.

James Suckling
(95-96)/100 punten
This is very, very fine with wonderfully polished tannins that are silky in texture. It’s medium- to full-bodied with lovely length, lasting a minute or two. Hints of crushed stone and fine sea salt. Finesse with structure. Could move up a notch with the elevage. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 2.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc.

The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW)
(94-96)/100 punten
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Malartic Lagraviere Rouge charges out with profound notes of creme de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, and plum preserves, followed by suggestions of garrigue and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate is taut with dense, muscular black fruits, supported by firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great length.

Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider)
(94-96)/100 punten
With a depth of color, the wine pops with nuances of flowers, cherries, cedar, tobacco leaf, black currants, spice, cocoa, and mint tea. Even better on the palate, the concentrated, showy display of spicy, black cherries, blackberries, plums, white pepper, and dark chocolate is perfectly balanced with length, freshness and creamy, silkiness in the finish. The wine is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. 14.2% ABV pH 3.58. Harvesting took place September 5 - September 29. 

Falstaff
95/100 punten
Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. A touch of fine oak, black forest berries, a hint of liquorice, orange zest is underlying, some nougat, attractive bouquet. Juicy, ripe plums, fresh acidity, compact and persistent, very good length, promising ageing potential.

Jeb Dunnuck
(93-95)/100 punten
The 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière does incredibly well in the vintage and offers a beautiful sense of freshness and elegance while still staying concentrated and textured. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it has an up-front, expressive style in its red and blue fruits as well as spring flower, tobacco, and graphite-like aromatics. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has ripe, polished tannins, fabulous overall balance, and a great finish. The purity and precision here are top-notch.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
(91-93)/100 punten
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Malartic Lagravière reveals aromas of cassis, blueberry, spices, graphite and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated with structuring tannins, it’s a dense, powerful, demonstrative Malartic Lagravière

Antonio Galloni (Vinous)
(94-96)/100 punten
The 2022 Malartic Lagravière exudes class. Bright, layered and wonderfully vibrant, the 2022 is so alive. Rose petals, lavender, crushed rocks, mint and red/purplish fruit race across the palate. All the elements are so well balanced. Malartic Lagravière has all the potential to be one of the great wines of the year. This is a fabulous showing. Tasted two times.

Neal Martin (Vinous)
(93-95)/100 punten
Blackberry, iodine and incense aromas unfurl in the glass, nicely focused and delineated, quite airy in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Cohesive and powdery in texture, with black fruit, crushed stone and light ash-like notes toward the finish. This is an excellent, quite "swarthy" Malartic that will age with style, though it will only repay the patient.