The 2015 Malartic-Lagraviere Bordeaux Blend from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France, is a well-crafted wine that has garnered notable acclaim from several respected reviewers. This vintage has a deep garnet-purple color and has been aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 80% of which were new and 20% one-year-old. The blend consists of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a score of 92, noting its "notes of crushed black currants, fresh blackberries, and black raspberries with hints of tar, dried herbs, and garrigue." She describes the palate as "medium-bodied, energetic and refreshing in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins and an uplifting finish."
Wine Spectator also awarded it a score of 92, highlighting its "slightly high-pitched style" with "a mix of red currant and raspberry fruit laced with rooibos tea and blood orange notes." The reviewer mentions a "good snap of licorice adds weight on the finish, showing a flash of tar" and asserts that it "should evolve well in the cellar," suggesting it is best consumed between 2020 and 2028.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com was more enthusiastic, scoring the wine at 95. He praised its "luscious, silky, ripe, deep, dark red fruits" and described it as "round, polished, full-bodied, and long." He predicts that, as the oak further integrates, it will be a "super wine to enjoy over the next two decades."
James Suckling commended the wine with a high score of 96, emphasizing its "dark violets, mocha, cassis and blackberries" on the nose and "suave, smooth and sturdy tannins" on the palate. He noted its "terrific length" and "very polished and seamless" flavors, suggesting it will be best from 2022.
Wine Enthusiast also rated it 96, noting its "full black-currant flavor," firm structure, and rich texture. The review mentions its "bolstering tannins and vibrant acidity" which indicate it is an age-worthy selection, recommending it be drunk from 2025.
Vinous gave it a score of 94, describing it as "bolder than its peers" with "blackberry, raspberry, iodine and light cedar aromas." The palate is noted to be "medium-bodied with gentle grip, and well balanced," highlighting its potential to "reward bottle age."
Decanter also scored it 96, praising its "rich and silky" texture and "plump black fruits with the most gorgeous licorice and dark chocolate in a coiled, restrained sexiness." The review appreciates its "lovely lift of acidity" despite the hot vintage and concludes it as a "brilliant effort."
Overall, the 2015 Malartic-Lagraviere is a highly praised Bordeaux blend with notable depth, complexity, and aging potential, making it a standout choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.