Château Malartic Lagravière

History of Château Malartic-Lagravière

Château Malartic-Lagravière has its origins in the late 18th century, when it was acquired by the family of Count Hippolyte de Maurès de Malartic, an illustrious admiral in the service of the kings of France. Known for his military exploits, notably during the Battle of Quebec in 1756, his name was associated with the estate as early as 1850, when Madame Arnaud Ricard, the new owner, decided to pay tribute to this hero by adding the name Malartic to that of Lagravière.

The estate then passed from generation to generation within the Ricard family, then the Marly family, until its acquisition by Champagnes Laurent-Perrier in 1990. However, it was the arrival of the Bonnie family in 1997 that marked a decisive turning point for the estate. Alfred-Alexandre and Michèle Bonnie entirely modernized the vineyard and the facilities, while respecting tradition. Since then, their children, Véronique and Jean-Jacques Bonnie, have continued this venture by instilling a vision resolutely oriented toward the future, with a sustainable and innovative approach.

The 2007 white vintage of Château Malartic-Lagravière was awarded a score of 96/100 by Robert Parker, a recognition of the finesse and freshness of this Pessac-Léognan cru.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Malartic-Lagravière

The terroir of Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of the most prestigious in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The vineyard extends over 53 hectares, of which 46 hectares are dedicated to red grape varieties and 7 hectares to white grape varieties. It is situated primarily on a ridge of deep gravel, a characteristic soil that promotes excellent drainage while ensuring a sufficient water reserve thanks to a fossil-rich shelly limestone subsoil. This unique terroir guarantees optimal water supply even during periods of drought, and allows the grapes to ripen under ideal conditions.

The vineyard is composed in equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (45% each), with contributions of Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%) for the red wines. The white grape varieties, for their part, consist predominantly of Sauvignon Blanc (80%), complemented by 20% Sémillon. The average age of the vines is 30 years, and the planting density reaches 10,000 vines per hectare, a configuration that promotes the concentration of aromas and the quality of the grapes.

Protected by the Landes forest, the vines benefit from a privileged microclimate with optimal sunshine. Since their arrival, the Bonnie family has implemented sustainable vineyard management, certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE-3) since 2015. Reasoned farming, horse-drawn soil work, and respect for ground cover are an integral part of the estate's philosophy, ensuring both the health of the vines and the protection of local biodiversity.

Winemaking at Château Malartic-Lagravière

At Château Malartic-Lagravière, winemaking is a meticulous process that combines tradition and innovation. The harvests are carried out manually and plot by plot, allowing for a precise selection of grapes according to their ripeness. An optical sorting is then performed to guarantee perfect berry homogeneity, ensuring optimal wine quality from the outset.

One of the distinguishing features of the estate is its gravity-flow winery, built in 1998 by architect Bernard Mazières. This innovative system preserves the integrity of the grapes by reducing mechanical handling, thereby promoting the pure expression of the fruit. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in thermoregulated stainless steel and truncated wooden vats. The winery is composed of small-capacity vats, allowing for fine and precise plot-by-plot winemaking.

The aging of the red wines lasts approximately 18 months in barrels, with around 60% new oak. This carefully controlled process preserves the suppleness and finesse of the tannins, while adding structure and complexity to the wines. For the whites, aging on fine lees is favored, without malolactic fermentation, which preserves the full freshness and vivacity of the aromas.

The result is wines of great elegance, revealing the diversity of the estate's terroirs and expressing a unique signature that is at once refined and powerful.

The Cuvées of Château Malartic-Lagravière

Château Malartic-Lagravière offers a range of cuvées that reflect the diversity and quality of its terroir.

Château Malartic-Lagravière Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The Fine Wine rouge of Château Malartic-Lagravière is an emblematic cuvée that embodies the richness and elegance of the estate. This wine is characterized by a beautiful density and a remarkable aromatic concentration. Aromas of black fruits blend harmoniously with spiced and oaky notes, offering a full and balanced palate with fine, silky tannins. Its tannic structure gives it a great aging potential, while remaining accessible and enjoyable from its earliest years.

Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The Fine Wine blanc is another jewel of the estate, one of the rare classified white crus of the appellation. This wine, composed primarily of Sauvignon Blanc, is marked by exceptional purity and freshness. Aromas of citrus, exotic fruits, and white flowers are magnified by a beautiful minerality owing to the limestone terroir. On the palate, it reveals itself to be both generous and structured, with a long and elegant finish. This exceptional white wine pairs wonderfully with fish dishes, seafood, or poultry.

Le Comte de Malartic Rouge and Blanc

Le Comte de Malartic is the second wine of Château Malartic-Lagravière. Crafted with the same care as the fine wine, it offers a more accessible and pleasurable expression of the terroir. Aromas of red and black fruits intertwine with subtle notes of spices and vanilla, derived from aging in barrels. This wine seduces with its suppleness on the palate and its balanced character, making it an excellent choice for younger drinking.

Much like its red counterpart, Le Comte de Malartic blanc is a wine that seduces with its brilliance and freshness. This second white wine beautifully reflects the estate's limestone terroir, with vibrant aromas of citrus and white-fleshed fruits. On the palate, it offers a lovely vivacity, a marked minerality, and an elegant finish. It is a versatile wine, ideal as an aperitif or to accompany light dishes.

La Réserve de Malartic Rouge and Blanc

La Réserve de Malartic rouge is another secondary cuvée, crafted in the same spirit as the estate's principal wines. This wine presents generous aromas of ripe fruit, combined with a supple and well-integrated tannic structure. Accessible from the moment of bottling, it offers a beautiful freshness and great finesse.

La Réserve de Malartic blanc stands out for its aromatic brilliance, blending floral and fruity notes. This wine is light, fresh, and balanced, with a beautiful mineral backbone that reflects the unique terroir of Malartic-Lagravière. Perfect for convivial moments, it lends itself to a variety of occasions, from a full meal to a simple aperitif.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010 are also remarkable for their structure and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic reference. For both red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac, and Domaine de Chevalier offer compelling cuvées. On the red side, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément, and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine lovers can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton, and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide array of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.

Château Malartic-Lagravière is an exceptional estate that embodies the viticultural excellence of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. With a rich history, a unique terroir, and a constant commitment to quality, the wines produced here are at once powerful, elegant, and complex. The Bonnie family, by modernizing the estate while respecting its traditions, has succeeded in sublimating the expression of the terroir and producing wines that rank among the finest in Bordeaux.