2016 was a great vintage for the Bordeaux vineyard, marked by climatic contrasts throughout the season. The beginning of the year was rainy but the summer was hot and dry, very beneficial to the development of the vine. Fine rains came at the beginning of September, beneficial for the maturation of the grapes. The alternation of warm days and cool nights until October led to a very serene harvest, where the berries were of very high oenological quality.
Blend of the 2016 vintage: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.
The robe presents a very deep red color, with brilliant reflections of a tile ruby.
The nose offers a beautiful aromatic bouquet, with scents of small black fruits, blackberry, blueberry and wild berries, cocoa, peppery spices and menthol.
On the palate, it reveals a very nice fleshy, juicy and concentrated matter, with a finely built tannic structure that brings freshness. It stretches out for a long time until a persistent, fruity and precise finish.
Food and wine pairing:
Château Malartic-Lagravière 2016 will go very well with an appetizer such as beef carpaccio, and dishes such as tournedos Rossini, rack of lamb, veal paupiettes forestières or venison fillet with a coffee and amaranth sauce.
For an agreement with cheeses, privilege those with uncooked pressed paste, such as Cantal, Edam, old mimolette matured, morbier with truffle or Saint-Nectaire.
In desserts, it will be very tasty with a Layer Cake Paris-Brest style, a chocolate bavarois or a famous mi-cuit au chocolat grand cru.
Ageing potential and tasting:
Château Malartic-Lagravière 2016 would deserve another 5-6 years of cellaring to refine its potential, and will see its peak reached between 2030 and 2033.
However, it can be enjoyed wonderfully today. To do so, take care to place the bottle in the serving room at room temperature the night before. Open it and decant it 2 to 3 hours before tasting.
The bottles will be kept in the cellar protected from the light, lying down, at an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%.
