2024 Chateau Malartic Lagraviere, Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe, Rouge

The 2024 Malartic Lagravière has quite a forward nose with blackberry and raspberry fruit. The aromatics lack the delineation and complexity of the 2022, but they do cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, linear and nicely focused with quite firm tannins, a little more grip than its peers and a saline/black olive tapenade-tinged finish. Give it a couple of years in bottle.

A château that has been riding a wave of success in recent years, producing excellent consistency, and here they deliver a concentrated shot of pureed damson fruit, a lovely addition in a vintage where things tend to be on the slim side. Juicy, textured, freshly cut herbs and gunsmoke layered through black fruits. Doesn't entirely escape the challenges of the year and is a little short on the finish but one of the successes of the year. Bonnie family owners here.

The 2024 Malartic-Lagravière is packed with dark cherry, cedar, new leather, rose petal, incense and mocha. Deep and voluptuous, with good complexity, the Malartic-Lagravière is terrific for the year. There are some rough edges, but élevage should take care of that. Tasted two time.

The 2024 Malartic Lagravière is one of the more evanescent wines I encountered at this address. Offering up aromas of cassis and dark berries, it's light to medium-bodied, supple and spicy, built around tangy acids and a short, fruity finish marked by brittle tannins.

The 2024 Malartic Lagravière is one of the more evanescent wines I encountered at this address. Offering up aromas of cassis and dark berries, it's light to medium-bodied, supple and spicy, built around tangy acids and a short, fruity finish marked by brittle tannins.

84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.

Red berry with a hint of vanilla. Fine tannins with sufficient mid-palate fruit. Oak present but should integrate. Clean, fresh finish. Reasonable length. (JL)

12.5% Drink 2030 – 2042