The 2022 Malartic-Lagraviere is a notable Bordeaux blend from the esteemed Pessac Leognan region, crafted by Malartic-Lagraviere. This vintage has garnered attention for its balance and complexity, drawing high praise from several esteemed critics.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded it an impressive 99 points, lauding it as "incredibly concentrated" with "velvety tannins" and a "blockbuster finish." He noted the wine's composition of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc making up the remainder, aged for 20 months in 60% new French oak. Dunnuck emphasized its potential for aging, suggesting it deserves 4-6 years in the cellar.
James Suckling also praised the wine with a 97-point score, describing it as "surprisingly fresh" despite the hot vintage, with "depth, innate balance, and complexity." He highlighted its "mineral-etched fruit" and "chalky tannins."
Jeff Leve echoed these sentiments, granting the wine 96 points, highlighting its "lush, full-bodied" nature with "layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, lusciously-textured blackberries, plums, and black cherries."
Jane Anson also gave it a 96, commending the Bonnie family's efforts at this property and noting its "beautiful balance" and "creaminess to the fruit."
The wine's characteristics include notes of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, and chocolate, as highlighted by Jeb Dunnuck. The Wine Independent described it as having "creme de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, and plum preserves," with a "taut" palate of "dense, muscular black fruits."
With scores ranging from 92 to 99, the 2022 Malartic-Lagraviere stands out as an exceptional Bordeaux blend, praised for its balance, complexity, and potential for aging.