Chateau Malartic Lagraviere2014
RED WINE
- Producer Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
- Country France
- Region Bordeaux
- Appellation Pessac-Leognan
- UPC 0 15643 47347 0
Reviews
James Suckling 94
So perfumed with a freshness and beauty that is amazing. Blackberries, black cherries and violets. Full-bodied yet so polished and velvety. Gorgeous finish. A beauty. Best ever in bottle from here?
by JS, James Suckling , 2017
Wine Advocate 92
The 2014 Malartic-Lagraviere had quite a high-toned, upfront bouquet with kirsch, crushed strawberry, iodine and iris scents that do not hold back. The palate is rounded on the entry with supple tannin, possesses slightly lower acidity than its peers yet remains balanced. There is impressive depth to this Malartic-Lagravière with a subtle white pepper/sage note towards the finish. Though it will be overshadowed by the 2015, this is a well-crafted Pessac-Léognan with the chutzpah that it showed in barrel.
by NM, Wine Advocate , 2017
Wine Spectator 91
Very solid, with a core of dark plum, blackberry and fig preserve notes held in check by tarry grip. Ample singed apple wood and cocoa elements form the frame. Give this time to meld fully.
by JM, Wine Spectator , 2017
Technical Details
Harvest
Merlots: From 30 september to 10 october 2014Cabernet-Sauvignon: From 16 to 21 october 2014
Cabernet-Franc: 8 october 2014
Petit-Verdot: 9 october 2014
Technical data
Total area (A.O.C.) 53 hectaresArea in red (A.O.C.) 46 hectares
Geology Well-drained gravels and clay gravels on shelly limestone and clay subsoil
Grape varieties 45% Merlot - 45% Cabernet-Sauvignon 8% Cabernet-Franc - 2% Petit-Verdot
Density of plantation 10 000 plants / ha
Average age of the vineyard 31 years old
Pruning method Guyot double
Average yield 42 hl/ha
Degree 13,5% vol
Harvest Hand picking - Sustainable farming - HVE
Vinification Thermoregulated stainless steel or oak vats
Fermentation About 30 days - 28 to 30 Celsius
Ageing Traditional on fine lies in French oak barrels - New oak 70%
Ageing period In progress
Oenologist Consultants Michel Rolland
Vintage
Spring 2014 was pleasant with fairly good, uniform flowering at Malartic. July was fine, but August, which was initially wet and hot, and then very cool, caused a significant threat of mildew and then outbreaks of Botrytis on the white grapes at the end of the month. Fortunately, on 27 August, a period of superb weather arrived that was to continue throughout the harvests. Decisions were fast and well-managed thanks to a reinforced team that worked hard throughout the growth cycle to compensate for these special conditions (meticulous removal of unwanted shoots and regular trimming; several rounds of leaf stripping; green harvests).Ripeness progressed exponentially, enabling us to harvest very concentrated grapes that produced powerful, aromatic musts, enlivened by very good levels of acidity. The red grape harvests ended on 21 October under sunny skies. The Merlot is dense, rounded and rich, with lots of volume. Very uniform, embodying a real Malartic style. The Cabernet is very clean, pure and long, with bright, almost sunny fruit, and a noticeable sweetness. The tannins present volume and flexibility. Remarkable! This vintage offers amazing precision and great quality, largely due to the superb Indian summer, and enhanced by our growing techniques and management of the terroir.