2025 Château Malartic-Lagravière Rouge

EXCLUSIVE - EXPECTED SPRING 2028

Winery Château Malartic-Lagravière

Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of the rare estates classified as Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both red and white wines. The château is located in Léognan, in the heart of Pessac-Léognan, and has been managed by the Bonnie family since 1997. Over the past decades, the estate has invested heavily in terroir precision, sustainable viticulture, and cellar modernization. The philosophy focuses on balance, finesse, and terroir expression, where power must never come at the expense of elegance. Today, Malartic-Lagravière is among the most consistent producers in the appellation. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Malartic-Lagravière is located in Pessac-Léognan, an appellation known for its combination of structure, freshness, and refinement. The vineyards lie on well-draining Günzian gravel soils, interspersed with clay and calcareous subsoils. These terroirs impart a characteristic combination of ripe fruit, tension, and mineral precision to the wine. The 2025 vintage developed particularly favorably. After a wet winter, the soils possessed ample water reserves, which proved crucial during the dry and sunny summer with heat peaks in late June and mid-August. Despite the heat, the grapes remained remarkably fresh thanks to cool nights and sufficient moisture in the subsoil. According to the château, ripeness and natural acidity are among the strongest points of the 2025 vintage. The combination of concentration and tension makes this a classic year in which the wines feel remarkably complete. September proceeded almost ideally, with cool mornings and warm afternoons that allowed for gradual and precise ripening. The recent rainfall around September 21, in particular, gave the Cabernet Sauvignon extra balance and refinement.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The blend of Château Malartic-Lagravière Rouge 2025 consists of 57.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the heart of the wine, providing structure, freshness, and length. Merlot brings texture and ripe fruit, while Petit Verdot adds extra depth and spiciness. The vineyards cover approximately 66 hectares for reds and are planted at a density of about 10,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is approximately 28 years. The château operates according to agro-ecological principles, featuring vegetable cover, minimal tillage, and even horses for certain vineyard tasks. Sustainability has now become an important part of the estate's identity.

Harvest, vinification and aging

The Merlot was harvested between September 9 and 20, followed by Petit Verdot on September 18, Cabernet Franc on September 22, and Cabernet Sauvignon between September 18 and October 3. Thanks to manual picking, plot selection, and double sorting tables, only optimal fruit was selected.

After the harvest, additional visual selection followed. Vinification took place in small wooden and temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, tailored to the specific characteristics of each plot. Maceration lasted approximately three weeks, during which gentle extraction remained important to preserve finesse and precision.

The wine ages traditionally sur lies fines in French oak barrels, approximately 50% of which are new. Blending took place relatively early, which enhances the harmony and integration of the various components.

Color, smell and taste

Château Malartic-Lagravière 2025 opens dark and intense, yet at the same time remarkably refined. The nose immediately reveals layers of black cherries, cassis, ripe blackberries, and dark plums, complemented by violets, dried rose petals, and subtle notes of orange zest. Behind these follow nuances of graphite, menthol, liquorice, cedarwood, and fine spices such as clove.

On the palate, medium to full-bodied in style, with a strikingly polished texture. The tannins are fine-grained yet powerful, providing structure without harshness. Dark fruit is supported by notes of dark chocolate, wet stones, forest floor, and a light briny minerality typical of the Malartic-Lagravière terroir.

What stands out most in 2025 is the tension between ripeness and freshness. Despite the warm vintage, the wine feels lively, linear, and precise. Several tasters note the combination of juiciness and energy, with the wine developing in layers in the glass. The finish is long and complete, with dark berries, graphite, spices, and a subtle touch of menthol that lingers.

The style is classic Pessac-Léognan, with sufficient power and structure for long aging, yet at the same time remarkably refined and harmonious.

Summary of professional reviews

95-96 points – James Suckling: praises the quality of the tannins, the polished texture, and the combination of blackcurrants, orange zest, and mineral tension. 93-95 points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous: describes the wine as dark, powerful, and promising, with black cherries, menthol, chocolate, and spiciness. 94-96 points – Yves Beck: emphasizes the silky texture, violets, freshness, and long, linear finish. 95-96 points – Alexandre Ma: particularly praises the clarity, tension, and aging potential. The full review texts can be found in the tab: Professional reviews.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.