The 2009 Malartic-Lagraviere Bordeaux Blend is a red wine from the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by Malartic-Lagraviere, this wine is known for its rich and complex profile, featuring a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. It is sealed with a cork and contains 14.0% alcohol by volume.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine a score of 93, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing it as "medium to deep garnet colored" with "alluring scents of warm cassis, redcurrant jelly, spice cake, forest floor, and potpourri with hints of unsmoked cigar." She noted its "firm, fine-grained texture" and "plenty of freshness," concluding that it finishes on a "lingering earthy note."
James Suckling gave the wine a slightly higher score of 94, praising its "great cassis nose" and "fresh and vibrant" character despite its age. He highlighted its "crisp, dry palate" and noted that it had "enough substance to make a harmonious package," though he suggested it could benefit from a bit more polish at the finish.
Cory Gowan of JJ Buckley gave it an outstanding score of 95, calling it "THE Pessac wine to have from the vintage." He described it as "very pretty translucent red" and "ultra-concentrated," with aromas of "raw gravel and stick ripe blackberry" leading to a palate full of "sweet tannins." He summed it up as "just pure elegant power."
Neal Martin's Wine Journal also rated it 94, noting its "introverted bouquet" and "fine tannins," with a finish that "exudes finesse." He described the wine as one of the finest ever produced by the estate.
Wine Spectator's JM gave it a score of 92, describing it as "packed and very backward" with "taut tobacco, iron, and bittersweet cocoa notes" and a core of "crushed plum, roasted fig, and cassis flavors."
Jane Anson awarded it another 95, sharing a personal anecdote about how it impressed her niece and her boyfriend, calling it "the best wine I have ever had." She praised its "finesse and balance" and noted flavors of "damson, fig, cigar box, and cocoa bean."
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com scored it 93, highlighting its "luscious, richly textured, round, forward, and velvety" nature. He suggested it could be enjoyed young for its "forward styled fruits and silky tannins" or aged for more secondary notes, calling it "just great stuff."
In summary, the 2009 Malartic-Lagraviere Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential. It is an excellent representation of the Pessac Leognan region and has garnered high scores from multiple esteemed reviewers.