“It’s easily the finest I’ve tasted from this Château and is a riveting 2022…” – Jeb Dunnuck

99-point Pessac for $55? Get outa here!

We HAD TO pinch ourselves… a Grand Cru Classé surrounded by Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Larrivet-Haut-Brion, and Domaine de Chevalier? Overseen by THE Michel Rolland too?!

Wow, just wow.

Pessac-Léognan’s top 2022s are through the roof in value today. Haut-Brion is $800-ish, and La Mission is approaching $400. A bottle, those are. A CASE of this? Under $700! How is that for value?

The history is deep here. Domaine de Lagravière was bought in 1803 by Pierre de Malartic, whose uncle, Comte de Malartic, fought the British in Canada and Mauritius, bringing fame to the name and the maritime theme associated with this estate. Well, that’s 223 years of legacy winemaking, dear Ops…

Decanter catches up with this “absolute powerhouse in the appellation, now rivaling its biggest names” with “reds that are unmissable, and that Malartic particularly have begun to rival the most elegant, concentrated, and complex Bordeaux – think Rauzan-Ségla, Haut-Bailly, and La Gaffelière in terms of style and philosophy. What helps with this is the layer of limestone that sits under the deep gravel. Once they had stopped the intensive vineyard treatments and begun manually working the soils, the roots were able to reach down to this layer, and the pH lowered, bringing a natural freshness.”

This wine has to be tasted to be believed. Decanting, or patience in the cellar are strongly advised.

This little batch was more of a favor than a find, so ONLY A FEW CASES while they last, sorry.

99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It’s easily the finest I’ve tasted from this Château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. The 2022 is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the élevage spanning 20 months in 60% new French oak. Brilliant wine. Drink 2030-2050.”