Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere red 75cl 2012 Pessac Leognan

Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere red 75cl 2012 Pessac Leognan

Pessac-Léognan (A.O.C.) Vintage A real winegrower's vintage, with particularly changeable, turbulent weather conditions, requiring extreme precision in the care of the vineyard! Winter 2012 was dry with a very cold spell accompanied by some snow in February. The spring was rather cool; rainfall was average but frequent (except April with 169 mm). The summer was mainly hot and dry, with two periods of exceptionally high temperatures. September and October were characterized by damp weather. This was a rather late vintage. Both the flowering in mid-May and the start of ripening in mid-August were slow and somewhat uneven (with some flower abortion and irregular grape size). The sustainable management approach that has been in place in the vineyard for ten years enabled us to compensate for the delayed ripening with ploughing, some light leaf removal at the end of July, and three green harvests to adjust the unevenness between bunches. The white grapes underwent numerous selections on the vine. This constant work enabled us to reach the harvest with the grapes in perfect health, despite the fact that the threat of disease was particularly high this year. The batches of Merlot present a terrific purity of fruit. Generous and ripe, they have plenty of charm and good structure. The Cabernets are very distinguished, with excellent quality, silky, full-bodied tannins. Very gentle vinification and maturing has enabled us to obtain a finely crafted vintage, with an elegant structure and crisp fruit.

Blend : Cabernet-Sauvignon 50 % Merlot 45 % Cabernet-Franc 3 % Petit-Verdot 2 %

Colour intense, deep red with hints of violet. Nose powerful, complex, rich, extremely elegant, refined, very deep. Various notes of red fruit (blackcurrants, raspberries). Concentrated, pure nose, with a smokiness and a minerality that is typical of this wine. Palate smooth, rich, full-bodied attack. Distinguished, elegant, refined tannin structure. The same aromatic profile as the nose develops, with intense fruit, lovely minerality and pleasant smoky notes. The palate has superb length and supple tannins, making Château Malartic-Lagravière 2012 already very accessible, while at the same developing a complexity that suggests it will improve further with age.