Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Malartic-Lagravière – 2022
Grand Cru Classé – Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A jewel of Graves, this Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate is owned by the Bonnie family and consistently delivers wines of depth and precision. The 2022 vintage was marked by a hot, dry summer, yet the gravelly soils of Pessac-Léognan preserved freshness, giving balance to the ripeness. This V.22 blend features Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 43%, Cabernet Franc 1.5%, and Petit Verdot 2.5%.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep layers of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and blackberry, with notes of graphite, smoke, and cedar. Subtle accents of spice and cocoa add elegance.

Mouthfeel
Multi-layered and structured, with a perfect balance of ripe fruit, freshness, and polished tannins. Full-bodied yet graceful, this wine already shows harmony, but its true depth will unfold with a few years of patience.

Food Pairings
Roast duck with black cherry reduction, grilled ribeye, venison, mushroom and truffle pasta, chargrilled lamb burgers, Comté, aged Cheddar cheese.

Verdict
A serious, cellar-worthy Pessac-Léognan. Concentrated and elegant, it’s very approachable in youth, (had it on Oct 23-2025, it was outstanding!), but destined to hit peak stride around 2027 and beyond as a full extend of its brilliancy, rewarding the wait with even greater complexity. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of the few Bordeaux estates classified for both its red and white wines,a rare honor showcasing its exceptional terroir. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Significantly better than the 2008 Lynch-Bages I had the other night.

Domaine De Chevalier is one of the more underrated or under appreciated Bordeaux producers.

The nose shows; beautiful dry, red flowers, black currants, brambly blackberries, ripe; dark cherries & strawberries, black plum, hints of raspberries, anise, dry herbs, mid baking spices, loamy earthiness, dark spice, dry tobacco/leather, graphite, barrel toast, bright red flowers and liquid violets.

M+ dark meaty tannins. Ripe, juicy, gorgeous fruits; black currants, brambly blackberries, dark cherries & strawberries, black plum, hints of raspberries, red licorice, red to mid berry cola, touch of black licorice, anise, dry herbs, mid baking spices-light clove/nutmeg, cinnamon & light vanillin, dark spices with a little palate heat, loamy earthiness, dark spice w/ some palate heat, dry tobacco/leather, graphite, charcoal, pebbles, some soft mushroom, barrel toast, bright red flowers and liquid violets. Really nice rainfall acidity, well tensioned/structured still w/ age, nicely balanced with an elegant, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & earth.

15 yrs of good drinking ahead.

@BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. Balance Restaurant is one of the very best meals I’ve had out in a very longtime. — 21 days ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Outrageous. Intense pretty and bright. Lemon curd, orange rind, lifted zesty fruit. Just spectacular — 14 days ago

with Matt and David

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Medium amber color. Aromas of crushed pineapple, dried apricot and orange marmalade. Burnt honey on the palate, tropical fruit flavors and caramel on the finish. Very tasty Sauternes! — 18 days ago

with Quentin

AHF

9.5

Lingering acetone at 26 years. Powerful and elegant dessert wine that goes well with food, too. Drinking well with more upside — 2 days ago

leon egozi

9.4

NY wine spectator event — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2016 vintage. Decanted (with little sed) and tasted after 1.5 hours and 3 hours. Medium body. In a state of transition currently. Holding back a bit and has lost that tail-wagging exuberance along with some of the supple qualities of youth. Feel like this wine is on a side quest and will return to the fold in the next 3-5 years. 10.11.25. — 15 days ago

Conrad Green

9.7

So gnarly and violet and intense. Iron and dark plum and leather with blood and forest floor. So complex and delicious — 10 days ago

with Matt

leon egozi

9.2

NY wine spectator event — 8 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2002 | wonderful vintage with apricot in smell and a vital, vibrant taste with nice acidity | paired with Blue de Gex | at Les Rousses — 24 days ago