Château Malartic Lagravière, 2020
Château Malartic Lagravière, 2020
- 75cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2044
This wine is offered in its own wooden case when purchasing a case of 6.
Château Malartic-Lagravière is situated on a high terrace that has been deeply etched by the Eau Blanche stream and its tributaries. It sits on 8-meter-deep deposits of gravelly soil dating from the Quaternary period. The evocative name of ‘Lagravière’ underlines the great quality manifest in the soils of this vineyard, reputed for its location on the finest gravel hillock in Léognan.
The freshness and the balance of this vintage combine with the brilliance of the fruit and velvety texture, with a ample yet complex tannic structure, reflecting the true signature of Malartic’s terroir.
Currently showing its primary fruit character with vibrant blackberry and cassis dominating, but the underlying structure suggests this wine will develop magnificently over the next two decades. Expect the silky tannins to integrate further over the next 3-5 years whilst secondary complexity of leather, tobacco, and forest floor begins to emerge around 2030. The wine should reach its optimal drinking window between 2032-2040, when the fruit and tertiary development achieve perfect balance. After 2044, it may begin to show more earthy, savoury characteristics as the fruit slowly fades.
What the critics say:
"The 2020 Malartic-Lagravière, which represents just 40% of the total production, was cropped at 26hl/ha. It has a very delineated nose with intense blackberry, raspberry, sous-bois and incense aromas that just "sing" of Pessac-Léognan. The palate is medium-bodied, finely-knit tannins, fresh and vibrant with beguiling purity. Harmonious and silky smooth, it belies the depth and complexity of this marvelous Malartic. This is superb and it will mature beautifully in bottle."
"Blackberries and licorice with blackcurrants. Mushroom, too. Medium to full body. Creamy and soft tannins that are fine textured. Delicious finish. Racy, polished and sophisticated. Drink after 2026."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with a vibrant purple rim suggesting youth and concentration.
NoseIntense blackberry and raspberry leap from the glass, followed by sous-bois earthiness and incense that speaks clearly of Pessac-Léognan's gravelly character. There's a purity here that's almost crystalline, with liquorice and subtle mushroom adding complexity without overwhelming the brilliant fruit.
PalateMedium to full-bodied with remarkable harmony between power and elegance, showing finely-knit tannins that feel almost creamy in texture. The fruit drives through with blackcurrant joining the berry spectrum, whilst the silky structure belies serious depth and complexity waiting to unfold. Fresh and vibrant despite the concentration, with that racy quality that makes great Bordeaux so compelling.
FinishLong and polished with sophisticated layers of dark fruit and mineral persistence that lingers gracefully.
Overall impressionThis captures everything we love about modern Malartic-Lagravière: immediate appeal married to serious cellar potential.
Food Pairings
In the Graves region, this style of wine traditionally accompanies the rich dishes of southwest France: entrecôte à la bordelaise with its classic shallot and red wine reduction, or confit de canard with crispy potatoes cooked in duck fat. The locals might serve it with lamprey à la bordelaise during its brief season, or more commonly with côte de bœuf grilled over vine prunings. Game birds like palombe (wood pigeon) roasted with wild mushrooms from the Landes forest make perfect partners, as do the region's famous cèpes de Bordeaux prepared simply with garlic and parsley. The wine's silky tannins also complement aged sheep's cheeses from the nearby Pyrenees.
We think this wine would go well with
The vineyard sits on a distinctive gravel hillock carved by the Eau Blanche stream, with soils reaching 8 metres deep of Quaternary period gravelly deposits over clay subsoil. This exceptional drainage combined with the retained moisture below creates ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The elevated position and gravel composition provide the heat retention and water stress that concentrate flavours whilst maintaining the freshness that defines great Pessac-Léognan. The name 'Lagravière' itself celebrates these remarkable gravelly soils.
Pessac-Léognan represents the northern, gravelly heart of the Graves region, elevated to its own appellation in 1987 to recognise its superior terroir. The appellation encompasses all the great châteaux of Graves including Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, with strict rules governing yields and grape varieties. Unlike the Médoc, Pessac-Léognan allows both red and white wine production, with the gravelly soils particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon whilst enabling elegant Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The wines typically show more immediate charm than their Left Bank neighbours whilst maintaining serious ageing potential.
The 2020 Bordeaux vintage began with one of the wettest winters on record, followed by a scorching summer that nearly broke temperature records across the region. What could have been a disaster became salvation: those deep winter water reserves carried the vines through the heat, while the dry conditions from July onwards concentrated flavours beautifully. The harvest started early and moved quickly, with most châteaux picking under ideal September skies.
We find 2020 Bordeaux surprisingly charming for such a hot year - the wines show ripe, generous fruit without the baked character you might expect. The Merlot-based Right Bank wines are particularly successful, displaying plush damson and blackberry flavours with enough freshness to keep them lively. Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank delivers power and concentration, though some properties struggled more than others with the heat. Most 2020s are drinking beautifully now - this isn't a vintage that demands decades of patience, and we rather like that about it.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich blackberry and blackcurrant with earthy mushroom notes, wrapped in silky tannins with a fresh, racy character that's both powerful and elegant.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking well now but will reward patience - we think it will be at its absolute best from 2030 until 2044, though it's certainly enjoyable today with proper decanting.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic matches include roasted red meats, grilled steaks, duck confit, and game birds. The silky tannins also work beautifully with aged hard cheeses and mushroom-based dishes.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, we'd recommend decanting for at least an hour to allow this young wine to open up and show its full complexity and aromatic range.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely - this represents only 40% of the estate's production from an exceptional vintage, with the structure and balance to develop beautifully over the next 20 years.
How does this compare to other Pessac-Léognan wines?
This shows the classic elegance and silky texture that Malartic-Lagravière is known for, with more immediate charm than many Left Bank wines but serious ageing potential that rivals the appellation's best estates.
OUR GROWERS
Château Malartic Lagravière
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