Malartic Lagraviere

History of Château Malartic-Lagravière

Château Malartic-Lagravière finds its origins at the end of the 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, particularly during the Battle of Quebec in 1756, his name became associated with the estate in 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 in the Ricard family, then Marly, 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 completely modernised the vineyard and facilities, whilst respecting tradition. Since then, their children, Véronique and Jean-Jacques Bonnie, have continued this adventure, instilling a vision resolutely turned towards 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, in 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 mainly situated on a ridge of deep gravel, a characteristic soil that promotes excellent drainage whilst ensuring a sufficient water reserve thanks to a limestone subsoil rich in marine fossils. 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 of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (45% each), with contributions of Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%) for the red wines. The white grape varieties, on the other hand, are mainly composed 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 High Environmental Value (HVE-3) since 2015. Integrated farming, horse-drawn soil cultivation and respect for ground cover are an integral part of the estate's philosophy, guaranteeing both the health of the vines and the protection of local biodiversity.

Vinification at Château Malartic-Lagravière

At Château Malartic-Lagravière, vinification is a meticulous process that combines tradition and innovation. The harvest is carried out manually and on a plot-by-plot basis, allowing for precise selection of grapes according to their maturity. Optical sorting is then carried out to guarantee perfect homogeneity of the berries, ensuring optimal wine quality from the start.

One of the estate's particularities is its gravity-fed winery, built in 1998 by architect Bernard Mazières. This innovative system preserves the integrity of the grapes by reducing mechanical handling, thus promoting the pure expression of the fruit. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in temperature-controlled, truncated cone-shaped stainless steel and wooden vats. The winery is composed of small-sized vats, allowing for fine and precise plot-by-plot vinification.

The ageing of red wines lasts about 18 months in barrels, with about 60% new oak. This carefully controlled process preserves the suppleness and fineness of the tannins, whilst bringing structure and complexity to the wines. For the whites, ageing on fine lees is favoured, without malolactic fermentation, which preserves all the freshness and liveliness of the aromas.

The result is wines of great elegance, revealing the diversity of the estate's terroirs and expressing a unique signature, both 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 Grand Vin rouge of Château Malartic-Lagravière is an emblematic cuvée that embodies the richness and elegance of the estate. This wine is characterised by a beautiful density and remarkable aromatic concentration. The aromas of black fruits blend harmoniously with spicy and woody notes, offering a full and balanced palate, with fine and silky tannins. Its tannic structure gives it a great capacity for ageing, whilst remaining accessible and pleasant from the first years.

Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The Grand Vin blanc is another jewel of the estate, one of the rare classified growths in white from the appellation. This wine, mainly composed of Sauvignon Blanc, is marked by exceptional purity and freshness. The aromas of citrus fruits, exotic fruits and white flowers are magnified by a beautiful minerality due 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 perfectly accompanies fish dishes, seafood or poultry.

Le Comte de Malartic Red and White

Le Comte de Malartic is the second wine of Château Malartic-Lagravière. Crafted with the same attention as the grand vin, it offers a more accessible and delicious expression of the terroir. The aromas of red and black fruits intertwine with subtle notes of spices and vanilla, derived from barrel ageing. This wine seduces with its suppleness on the palate and its balanced character, making it an excellent choice for younger drinking.

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

La Réserve de Malartic Red and White

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

La Réserve de Malartic blanc is distinguished by its aromatic brilliance, blending floral and fruity notes. This wine is light, fresh and balanced, with a beautiful mineral thread that reflects the unique terroir of Malartic-Lagravière. Perfect for convivial moments, it lends itself to various occasions, from meals to simple aperitifs.

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

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, 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 enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Malartic-Lagravière is an exceptional estate that embodies the viticultural excellence of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Thanks to a rich history, a unique terroir and constant attention to quality, the wines produced here are at once powerful, elegant and complex. The Bonnie family, by modernising the estate whilst respecting traditions, has succeeded in sublimating the expression of the terroir and offering wines that rank among the best in Bordeaux.