Vivid, expressive, juicy and concentrated, the 2011 Malartic Lagraviere comes from good-sized estate of 131 acres, of which 17 are dedicated to their excellent white wine. Made from a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a supple, medium to full-bodied texture with no hard edges, an opulence and exuberance that provide lots of seductiveness, and tell-tale notes of burning embers, charcoal, kirsch liqueur and black currant fruit. Drink this impressive 2011 over the next two decades. Only 55% of the production made it into the grand vin. The natural alcohol is 13.5%.

Deep ruby-red. Sweet, sexy spice nuances complicate aromas of rich dark plum, cassis and minerals, with a violet topnote providing lift. Dense and suave in the mouth, showing noteworthy sweetness to the unctuous, almost syrupy black fruit and Oriental spice flavors. The finish is long and smooth, with harmonious, lively acidity nicely extending the fruit flavors at the back. There's no hint of green or tough tannins here at all. This very impressive wine, which has turned out much better than it showed during the Primeurs, should age very well.

Good tarry style, with plum skin and briar notes lending a grippy edge while the core of blackberry and crushed black cherry lies in reserve.-J.M.

The 2011 Malartic Lagraviere has a ripe blackberry and mulberry scented bouquet with good fruit extraction and purity, perhaps a little more refined than the de Fieuzal tasted alongside. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, almost mouth puckering tannins. It is missing a little fruit in the middle and the finish is showing a touch of hardness and obduracy. Another sample was showing better lightness of touch and harmony and I suspect that this is more representative. Tasted April 2012.

The structured, austere 2011 Malartic Lagraviere was produced from small yields (32 hectoliters per hectare) and the final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Slightly tannic, rigid and spicy, it exhibits notes of black currants, bay leaf and loamy soil. In the mouth, the wine is mid-weight with moderate body and a structured mouthfeel.

Fruit cake, savoury black cherry and milk chocolate. Dry and fibrous, but digestible. (RH)

Drink 2016-2024 Colour of elderberry juice. Nose is difficult to describe, there's dark fruit, oak sweetness, and then a slightly smoky note, a little cedary too. Chewy and fresh on the palate, the fruit a little underwhelming for the structure but still some juicy fresh fruit emerges on the finish. (JH)