Malartic Lagraviere has been released at €32.40 per bottle ex-negociant, down 20.6% on last year (€40.8). It is being offered by merchants at £399 per 12×75.
At this price, it is pitched at a discount to the recent ‘great’ Bordeaux vintages, but above the majority of others.
Several tasters hint that this is a more structured and powerful style of Malartic that requires age. Neal Martin (90-92) commented that it, “might lack the sophistication of recent vintages but delivers fine depth towards the finish”. His Vinous colleague Antonio Galloni (90-93) called it “dense, powerful and explosive… one of the more flamboyant wines readers will taste in 2017”.
Writing for Decanter, Jane Anson suggested that the wine takes time to reveal itself: “The fruit is not particularly expressive on the attack…Eventually, a gorgeously pure expression of cassis comes curling through.” She scored it 93.
Buyers seeking value might look to the back vintages. The 94-point (Robert Parker) 2012 is available in the market at a 21% discount to today’s release.
Malartic Lagraviere Blanc has also been released. It came out at €40.80 per bottle ex-negociant, equal to last year.
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