Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere of Pessac-Leognan is one of only six Bordeaux chateaux that have both red and white classified wines.

Originally Domaine de Lagraviere, the estate was purchased at the end of the 18th century by the family of Count Hippolyte de Maures de Malartic, an admiral who served in the French Navy. The estate was then bought in 1850 by Madame Arnaud Ricard, who added the name Malartic to that of Lagraviere as a tribute to the former owners.

Located on the oldest wine-producing terroir in Bordeaux, Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere’s vineyard is on a high terrace of 8-meter-deep gravelly soil over limestone and clay. It covers 53 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

in 1998, the winery became one of the first to adopt a fully gravity-driven grape transport system. After manual harvests and double sorting on vibrating tables, grapes are transported to the vats and then to the barrels only by gravity. The vat room is also highly innovative. Its octagonal layout houses 20 stainless steel vats and 10 wooden ones, all conical and temperature-controlled. Being small, each one can accommodate the fruit from specific plots for individual vinification.

After blending, the wine is left to age in a 1200-barrel capacity air-conditioned cellar with controlled humidity levels. 25 to 35% of the barrels are replaced every year with new ones from the best coopers.

The red wine of Malartic-Lagraviere is typically 50+% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38–45% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc and/or Petit Verdot. Michel Rolland serves as consulting enologist.

The 2016 Malartic-Lagraviere is a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the renowned Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. With a medium to deep garnet-purple color, this wine immediately captures the eye with its inviting hue. The nose is filled with a delightful array of wild blueberries, black cherries, and cassis, accompanied by subtle hints of bay leaves and dark chocolate. A touch of charcoal adds a touch of intrigue to the aromatic profile.

On the palate, this wine showcases its medium-bodied nature with a lively backbone and a solid frame of ripe, rounded tannins. The herbal lift on the finish adds a refreshing touch, perfectly balancing the fruit-forward flavors. The 2016 Malartic-Lagraviere is a wine of exquisite balance and finesse, showcasing the artistry of the winemaking process.

Renowned wine experts have given high praise to this remarkable vintage. Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine a score of 92, highlighting its solid structure and lively backbone. Wine Spectator also awarded it a score of 92, praising its ripe and fresh flavors of cherry, plum, and currant. Vinous, on the other hand, awarded it an impressive score of 94, noting the intriguing interplay between rich red and purplish berry fruit and the wine's bright, high-toned nuances.

James Suckling was particularly enamored with this wine, awarding it a remarkable score of 96. He found the nose to be deep and complex, with the cassis and mint of Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly married to the generous blackberry notes of ripe Merlot. The vanilla and toasty nuances from the oak were seamlessly integrated, creating a truly harmonious experience.

The 2016 Malartic-Lagraviere is a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for further development. It is a wine of exceptional quality and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning wine connoisseurs.