2013 Malartic Lagraviere Bordeaux Red

2013 Malartic Lagraviere

94 WE

Featured Review

This Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot dominated wine is dense with tannins, although with enough fruit richness to balance. It has a dark texture and shows plenty of wood flavors at this stage. Its weight will allow it to age well, so wait until 2022. The Bonnet family has renovated vineyards and installed a gravity-fed winery. They also own a winery in Argentina and nearby Gazin Rocquencourt. Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast | 94 WE

High aromatics, good quality, clean and crisp, this wine is reflective of a vintage that was successful for white wines, if tough for the reds. It has precision, and shows an estate growing in confidence. This was the first vintage that Michel Rolland consulted for whites as well as reds. We opened a second bottle, as the first had a touch of oxidation. Drinking Window 2019 - 2030.

Decanter | 91 DEC

Firm and silky with currant, blackberry and stones. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a delicious finish. Why wait?

James Suckling | 91 JS

Under the impressive Belgian ownership, this property has been on a hot streak for a number of years. The 2013’s final blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot came from only 35% of the harvest, which took place between September 28 and October 18. The wine exhibits a dark plum/ruby/purple color as well as notes of graphite, licorice, blueberries, black raspberries and a hint of barbecue smoke, and a medium-bodied, rich, concentrated mouthfeel and finish. There is no evidence of rot, astringent tannin or excessive acidity. It has turned out to be one of the more successful wines in this vintage. Enjoy it over the next 12-15 years.

Robert Parker | 90-93 RP

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Bordeaux Blend
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.