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99 Points, Rank #5 Top 100 Wines of 2025!
Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan 2022
“One of the best ever. Riveting. Incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty. Blockbuster finish. It’s easily the finest I’ve tasted from this château.”
• Last 60 Bottles Of The Vintage · Arrive Wednesday 11/4
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A Personal Note
Dear Artisans,
99 points. Rank #5 on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2025. And a price that still starts with a six.
Dunnuck did not hedge on Château Malartic-Lagravière’s 2022: “It’s easily the finest I’ve tasted from this château.” James Suckling, at 97: “One of the best ever.”
The last 60 bottles of the vintage arrive this Wednesday, 11/4, at $65.99 against $76.00 elsewhere.
One Of The All-Time Greats
2022 is going down as one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages ever, and that is the critics talking. Jeb Dunnuck: “This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats.” Neal Martin of Vinous: “The 2022 vintage is one of the modern-day greats.” James Suckling said it “sets a new benchmark for Bordeaux.”
Now the same vintage hands 99 points to a Pessac-Léognan at $65.99.
The Ship On The Label
Look at the label in the photo above: a frigate in full sail. The family of Count Hippolyte Maurès de Malartic, a naval officer and one-time governor of Mauritius, bought this estate in the late 1700s, and his ship, La Minerve, still sails across every bottle.
It is one of only six Bordeaux châteaux classified for both red and white. La Gravière means gravelly hill, and the gravel runs eight meters deep across large parts of the vineyard.
The Family That Saved It
The estate had suffered from serious underinvestment when Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie bought it in 1997. It had just 20 hectares of vines, and the former owners were about to break ground on a cellar that would have cut right through the best parts of the vineyard. He built at the bottom of the slope instead.
The Bonnies grew the vineyard to 53 hectares by 2015, lowered yields and cut the share of fruit that makes the grand vin. Jane Anson, profiling the estate for Decanter, saw a step-change between 2005 and 2008. Her 96-point note on this 2022 opens: “The Bonnie family is on a roll at this excellent property.”
Michel Rolland’s Touch
That new cellar had a legend’s hand in it. Michel Rolland, who died this March at 78, was arguably the world’s most in-demand wine consultant, and a driving force behind Napa’s cult Cabernets, Harlan, Araujo and Dalla Valle among them.
He came to Malartic in 1998 and gave input on the winery: octagonal, with small vats that correspond to each plot in the vineyard, and one of the most technically advanced in Bordeaux when it opened. He advised the Bonnies for some two decades. Eric Boissenot advises them now, but this 2022 was made in the cellar Rolland helped design, from a vineyard rebuilt during his years here. That is his touch, and it is still in the glass. Rest in peace, Michel.
The Pricier Names
Neal Martin tasted this wine blind in London, gave it 95, and called it “a Malartic-Lagravière that pushes some of the pricier names of the appellation.”
So under the Malartic you will find those names too: our other greatest Pessac-Léognan wines still in stock, from Haut-Bailly to Haut-Brion, each on its own full card.
Cheers,
James Tran
Artisan Wine & Spirits
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Why This Matters
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99 points, #5 of 2025. Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100, and “easily the finest” he has tasted from this château. |
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One of the all-time greats. Dunnuck’s words on the 2022 vintage, the year that gave Wine Spectator its #1 and #13 wines of 2025. |
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Ten critics, 93 to 99. Suckling 97, Decanter 96, Jane Anson 96, Jeff Leve 96, and the notes are on the card below. |
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The last 60 bottles. They arrive this Wednesday, 11/4, at $65.99 against $76.00 elsewhere. |
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The Six Wines At A Glance
Malartic-Lagravière, then our other greatest Pessac-Léognan. Every score, every price.
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| The Wine · Last 60 Bottles 2022 Malartic-Lagravière. Pessac-Léognan.
Jeb Dunnuck 99, #5 of his Top 100 Wines of 2025.
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Château Malartic-Lagravière 2022
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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99
Jeb Dunnuck
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97
James Suckling
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96
Decanter
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96
Jane Anson
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96
Jeff Leve
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95
Vinous
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95
Wine Enthusiast
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95
Falstaff
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95
Wine Palate
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93
Wine Spectator
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Ten critics, 93 to 99. Every score is above, and the strongest notes are below, highest score first.
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Jeb Dunnuck · 99 Points · #5 Top 100 Of 2025
Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It's easily the finest I've tasted from this château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. … There are a little over 8,000 cases of this brilliant wine. Drinking Window: 2030-2050. |
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James Suckling · Zekun Shuai · 97 Points
A fascinating Malartic-Lagraviere from this hot vintage, but the wine is surprisingly fresh, showing depth, innate balance and complexity. The mineral-etched fruit turns glossy, with fine aromas of cassis, berries, plums, spices and a hint of violets. Almost full-bodied, with a complete package of fruit and chalky tannins. Long, juicy and posh. One of the best ever. Drink from 2027. |
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Decanter · Georgina Hindle · 96 Points
Gorgeous fragrant red berry fruit on the nose, a touch of dried herbs and graphite. So super charming straight away, this is gorgeous. Creamy and juicy so you get both a crunchy bite to the fruit as well as a soft pillowy texture on the palate. Round, focused and really finessed but delivering so much flavour. Not overdone at all, this is restrained - almost lightweight - letting the crystalline fruit, acidity and integrated tannins speak clearly. Harmonised and balanced still with tension and poise. A real joy with plenty of ageing potential.
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Jane Anson’s Inside Bordeaux · 96 Points
The Bonnie family is on a roll at this excellent property. Dense and concentrated but with finesse and acidity, this has a beautiful balance, and a creaminess to the fruit that is superb. Appealing pulses of white pepper and sage spice, well drawn out through the palate, exceptional skill shown during ageing at controlling the oak impact. Yields in the low 30hl/h, but maintains freshness. |
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Jeff Leve · The Wine Cellar Insider · 96 Points
With a depth of color, the wine pops with nuances of flowers, cherries, cedar, tobacco leaf, black currants, spice, cocoa, and mint tea. Even better on the palate, the concentrated, showy display of spicy, black cherries, blackberries, plums, white pepper, and dark chocolate is perfectly balanced with length, freshness and creamy, silkiness in the finish. … Drink from 2026-2050. |
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Vinous · Neal Martin · 95 Points
The 2022 Malartic-Lagravière has a more outgoing and expressive nose than Domaine de Chevalier or Smith Haut-Lafitte, yet it too has impressive complexity and convincing terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. A lovely, fleshy mid-palate, quite caressing in style, with fine acidity and a healthy dose of black pepper on the finish. Excellent, a Malartic-Lagravière that pushes some of the pricier names of the appellation. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London. Drinking Window: 2029-2050. |
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown · The Wine Palate · 95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Malartic Lagraviere Rouge opens with wonderfully fragrant notes of lavender and violets over a core of black cherries, cassis, and mulberries, plus suggestions of tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with black fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Drinking Window: 2027-2047. |
| Classification |
Grand Cru Classé (Pessac-Léognan) |
| Blend |
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc |
| Harvest |
By hand, September 5 to 29, sorted twice and optically |
| Oak |
60% new French |
| Production |
8,330 cases (Wine Spectator) |
| Drink |
2030 to 2050 (Jeb Dunnuck) |
| Elsewhere: $76.00 |
| Our Price |
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$65.99 / bottle
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• Last 60 Bottles · Arrive Wednesday 11/4 · Once Gone, Gone |
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Still In Stock
Our Other Greatest Pessac-Léognan
From a 2022 second wine to a 100-point First Growth.
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| Pessac-Léognan · The Second Wine 2022 Haut-Bailly II. Same Plots.
From the same plots of vines as the grand vin, in the same great vintage.
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Château Haut-Bailly II 2022
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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94
James Suckling
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92
Decanter
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91
Wine Advocate
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91
Wine Independent
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91
Jeb Dunnuck
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91
Vinous
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A true second wine, made since 1967 and formerly known as La Parde Haut-Bailly, from the same plots of vines as its elder brother. Six critics, 91 to 94. The strongest notes:
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James Suckling · 94 Points
Aromas of berries, dark chocolate and walnuts on both the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and spicy. The tannins frame this nicely, with an intensity that makes it slightly chewy. … Second wine of Haut-Bailly. Give this some time. Drink after 2027. |
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Decanter · Georgina Hindle · 92 Points
Beautiful fragrance on the nose, so floral and aromatic. Clean and crystalline on the palate, smooth and supple but so clean and pure. Quite light, you can tell they didn’t push this, it feels calm and gentle with creamy blueberry fruit and soft black cherries. Lovely approachability and ease of drinking. Quietly seductive, has the power and concentration of the vintage but keeps a sleek and straight frame with bite and crunch. |
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Jeb Dunnuck · 91 Points
Based on 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Bailly II is medium ruby-hued with a ripe, opulent style in its mulled red and black cherries, licorice, dried flowers, and roasted herb-like aromatics. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, round, seamless second wine that's going to drink nicely over the coming decade. |
| Elsewhere: $70.00 |
| Our Price |
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$64.97 / bottle
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| Pessac-Léognan · 2022 2022 Haut-Bailly. The Grand Vin.
Jeb Dunnuck, 98+: “opulent, sexy, yet concentrated.”
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Château Haut-Bailly 2022
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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98+
Jeb Dunnuck
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98
Wine Independent
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97
Wine Advocate
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97
Vinous
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97
James Suckling
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96
Decanter
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One of the most prestigious Crus Classés de Graves, a 30-hectare vineyard at the heart of Pessac-Léognan. Chris Kissack of The Wine Independent: “clearly one of the strongest examples of Haut-Bailly I have tasted in many years.”
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Jeb Dunnuck · 98+ Points
Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a gorgeously classic Haut-Bailly nose of red and black currants, savory flowers, dried herbs, and chocolate. Reminding me of the 2009 (or maybe a mix of the 2009 and 2010) with its opulent, sexy, yet concentrated style, it still stays flawlessly balanced and light on its feet, with no sensation of weight, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar for 5-7 years and will keep for 40+ years if well stored. |
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The Wine Independent · Chris Kissack · 98 Points
The tannin management here is breathtaking, confident and yet so elegant and tightly knit;clearly one of the strongest examples of Haut-Bailly I have tasted in many years. One for my cellar (I hope!). |
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Vinous · Neal Martin · 97 Points
It has a captivating nose that's so clean and precise, featuring bilberry fruit, crushed stone, light sea spray and estuarine scents. The palate is medium-bodied and very fresh, with crunchy blackberry fruit tones and plenty of sapidity. This has real tension and mineralité from start to finish, yet it is imbued with a sense of weightlessness that distinguishes it from its peers. It is outstanding.
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| Elsewhere: $260.00 |
| Our Price |
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$199.99 / bottle
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| Pessac-Léognan · 2020 2020 Pape Clément. Magnificent.
Antonio Galloni, 98: “outrageously beautiful.”
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Château Pape Clément 2020
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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98
Vinous
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98
James Suckling
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97+
Jeb Dunnuck
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97
Jeff Leve
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96
Owen Bargreen
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95
Decanter
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95
Wine Spectator
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One of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, dating back to the 13th century. Jeff Leve: “This is the finest vintage of Pape Clément in years.” Seven critics, 95 to 98. The strongest notes:
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Vinous · Antonio Galloni · 98 Points
The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous depth. In a word: magnificent. (Drink between 2030-2050) |
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James Suckling · 98 Points
Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027. |
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Jeb Dunnuck · 97+ Points
I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love. It's going to be even better with 4-6 years of bottle age and will see its 30th birthday in fine form. (Drink between 2027-2057) |
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Jeff Leve · The Wine Cellar Insider · 97 Points
With a deep hue that is close to opaque, the wine exudes smoke, roasted espresso, cigar wrappers, blackberries, black cherries, licorice and chocolate. There is fabulous depth, purity, length and complexity here. The richly-textured finish is fleshy, powerful, intense and polished, with an endnote that keeps on going long after the wine has left the glass. This is the finest vintage of Pape Clement in years. Drink from 2026-2055. |
| Elsewhere: $157.00 |
| Our Price |
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$124.99 / bottle
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| Pessac-Léognan · 2011 2011 La Mission Haut-Brion. Time In Bottle.
Robert Parker, 95: “another great achievement.”
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Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2011
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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95
Wine Advocate
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95
Wine Enthusiast
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94
Vinous
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93
James Suckling
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93
Wine Spectator
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Today many people consider La Mission a “sixth 1855 First Growth.” This one has fifteen years behind it. Five critics, 93 to 95. The strongest notes:
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Wine Advocate · Robert Parker · 95 Points
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. … It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. |
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Vinous · Neal Martin · 94 Points
The 2011 La Mission Haut-Brion has a fragrant, perfumed, Margaux-like nose, beautifully defined and revealing hints of cassis and blueberry – a feminine, alluring, very pure bouquet designed to seduce, which it does. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, silky-smooth tannins and near-perfect acidity. … A gorgeous wine in the context of the vintage. |
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James Suckling · 93 Points
A wine with pretty dark-chocolate, berry and currant character. Stones, too. Full body, chewy but polished tannins and a firm finish. Already showing the sea shell and iodine. … Reminds me of the excellent 1978.
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| Elsewhere: $535.00 |
| Our Price |
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$449.97 / bottle
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| Pessac-Léognan · First Growth 2019 Haut-Brion. Premier Grand Cru.
James Suckling, 100: “The palate is mind-blowing.”
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Château Haut-Brion 2019
Pessac-Léognan · Bordeaux · France · 750 mL
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100
James Suckling
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99+
Vinous
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98+
Jeb Dunnuck
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98
Wine Advocate
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The First Growth of Pessac-Léognan, and the summit of this list. James Suckling gave it 100. Neal Martin, tasting blind, gave it 99+: “Off the charts.”
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James Suckling · 100 Points
The black cassis comes out of the glass, together with iodine, sandalwood and subtle moss and wet-bark undertones, then turning to violets. The palate is mind-blowing, with a cashmere texture that unravels on the palate and continues on for minutes. It’s full of superbly complex, ethereal character and mouth-feel, One of the wines of the vintage. As glorious as it may be to taste now, this is one for your deep cellar. Try in 2029. |
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Vinous · Neal Martin · 99+ Points
The 2019 Haut-Brion has an ethereal degree of transparency on the nose, perhaps the most delineated of all the 2019s, fabulous precision and detail considering the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with fine bone tannins, unerring symmetry and poise. Cohesive from start to finish with an extraordinarily persistent and compelling closing. Off the charts. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2028-2065) |
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Jeb Dunnuck · 98+ Points
The Grand Vin 2019 Château Haut-Brion checks in as a classic blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc. Its deep purple hue is followed by a stunning bouquet of ripe black cherry and currant-like fruit as well as classic Graves cold fireplace, burning embers, tobacco, and cedar pencil. More regal, firm, and classically structured on the palate, this full-bodied beauty has a deep, concentrated mid-palate, building tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It's very much in the focused, elegant, yet still concentrated and powerful style of the vintage. It will need a solid decade of cellaring, but it’s a brilliant wine. (Drink starting 2032) |
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Wine Advocate · William Kelley · 98 Points
Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, burning embers and creamy new oak, the 2019 Haut-Brion is full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a textural attack that segues into an ample and enveloping core of fruit, concluding with a long, expansive finish. Broad-shouldered and muscular, its rich, powdery tannins are already seamlessly integrated. |
| Elsewhere: $1,000.00 |
| Our Price |
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$899.97 / bottle
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The Bottom Line
One of the all-time great vintages. The last 60 bottles.
Jeb Dunnuck gave Malartic-Lagravière’s 2022 99 points, ranked it #5 of 2025 and called it the finest he has tasted from the château. The last 60 bottles of the vintage arrive this Wednesday, 11/4.
At $65.99, against $76.00 elsewhere, this is the easy decision in Pessac-Léognan. Once they are gone, they are gone.
Cheers,
James Tran
Artisan Wine & Spirits
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• Last 60 Bottles Of The Vintage · Arrive Wednesday 11/4
Our Other Pessac-Léognan
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