Château Malartic-Lagravière 2019 Rouge

This wine comes from a 44.5-ha section of the Malartic vineyards, under the guidance of the Bonnie Belgian family since 1997. The vines are planted at a high density of 10,000 vines/ha, and whose average age is 32 years. The varietal mix is comprised of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The soils in the undulating hills of the estate's vineyards are deep gravel atop a subsoil composed of clay and limestone. No chemical herbicides or insecticides are used, the soils are plowed, and deleafing is done manually. Gradually, the estate moves towards a block-by-block analysis to enhance each micro-terroir personality. The rule here is to allow biodiversity to grow inside and outsides the blocks. No pesticides, no herbicides are used but sexual confusion instead, in fact 80% of the vineyard’s management is conducted under an organic spirit. This “Bee Friendly” vineyard is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certified since 2015. In 2019, net yields were 44 hls/ha. Fermentation took place in truncated wood tanks. Cuvaison ran 21 to 23 days, a shorter period than usual. Malolactic was conducted in barrel, 65% of which were new and 35% second fill, all from selected, top coopers. Ageing regimen ran 18 months in total. All movement of the juice and of the wine was done by gravity flow alone. The blend is 55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.3% Merlot, and 2.8% Cabernet Franc. 120,000 bottles. Eric Boissenot consults.