2011 Château Malartic-Lagraviere
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Malartic-Lagravière has quite a high-toned floral bouquet with cassis and violets, more blue fruit than other Pessac wines. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, fresh and lively with a sense of energy towards the finish and quite a persistent spicy aftertaste. Fine. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Fresh and inky. Fairly lightweight but well-balanced and refreshing. (JR)
The 2011 Malartic-Lagravière comprises a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. To be honest I find this unnecessarily jammy on the nose and it is missing the freshness delivered by the succeeding vintage. It is almost trying too hard to impress. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet entry, and polished tannin, although the oak does not quite fully mesh with the fruit. I feel that this is surpassed by the 2012 as the finish feels a little aggressive at the moment. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Malartic-Lagravière.
Tasted blind. Polished nose and some concentration but with fruit a bit of lift too. (JR)
About the producer
One of few estates classified for both red and white wine production, Malartic-Lagravière was renovated entirely after the Bonnie family purchased it in 1996. They also expanded the property to its current 53 hectares.