2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière

From Pesac-Leognan in Bordeaux, this is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and the rest 3% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cedar, cassis, black cherries, and asphalt.  Full bodied.  A lovely, plush, velvety texture.  The palate has cassis and cherries with slight leather notes.  Nice acidity.  Firm tannins.  The asphalt note re-emerges on the finish.  This needs another seven to ten years and should drink well for ten to twelve after that.  If drinking now, give it 12 hours of air.  It will work well with bit, fatty meat dishes.  Plenty of upside as this matures and develops.