Chateau Malescot 'La Dame de Malescot' 2016 ~ Margaux, Bordeaux, France

90/100 Falstaff
92/100 Falstaff (2018 vintage)
89/100 Decanter (2018 vintage)
87/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage)
92/100 Falstaff (2014 vintage)
90/100 Decanter (2012 vintage)
90/100 Falstaff (2011 vintage)
89/100 Decanter (2011 vintage)
91/100 Falstaff (2010 vintage)

Peter, Moser, Falstaff "Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle lightening of the edges. Red berry confit underlaid with delicate herbs and spices, fine tobacco nuances. Medium body, also red berries on the palate, delicate tannins, salty and mineral notes, lemony finish, uncomplicated food accompaniment."

Falstaff "Strong ruby garnet, delicate ocher reflections, broader edge brightening. Nuances of pickled cherries, fine forest berry confit, floral touch, very delicate wood spice. Medium complexity, heart cherries, pleasant sweetness, round tannins, freshly structured, mineral and persistent, a versatile food accompaniment." (2018 Vintage)

Decanter "Needing time to open, this starts off well with firm redcurrant and raspberry fruits, but finishes a little abruptly with touches of oak. (2018 Vintage)

Wine Spectator "Light-bodied, offering an herb-infused profile of cherry and pomegranate fruit flavors, with tangy cedar hints. Drink now through 2023. 5,333 cases made. — JM" (2016 Vintage)

Falstaff "Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle lightening of the edges, attractive dark berry fruit, delicate notes of cassis and liquorice, black cherries, tobacco nuances. Full-bodied, fine blackberry confit, fruity sweetness, well-integrated tannins, sticks, a pleasant, silky food wine with aging potential." (2014 Vintage)

Decanter "A great second wine for drinking now, this has lashings of damson fruit to back up the acidity. The tannins are not as intense as they would be in a great vintage but it's good quality, with polish and real appeal. (2012 Vintage)

Falstaff "Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate lightening of the edges, attractive cherry fruit, fine wild berry aromas, a hint of cedar, blackberries and chocolate, inviting bouquet. Juicy, powerful, present, still a bit too edgy tannins, sweet extract on the finish, chocolaty finish, a promising food accompaniment." (2011 Vintage)

Decanter "This works well as a second wine: it has approachability but is still serious. It shows good rich fruit on the nose, and although it's a little subdued right now, closing down through the mid-palate, the edges are starting to soften and the dark fruits are well defined. (2011 Vintage)

Falstaff "Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate rim lightening. In the nose, dark berry confit with delicate leaves, delicate nougat and herbal spices. Juicy, good complexity, fine plum fruit, well-integrated tannins, touch of chocolate on the finish, good potential for development." (2010 Vintage)

Made by one of France's 'Top 10' winemakers, famous for his 1855 classified "Grand Cru" Bordeaux. This wine is that wine's sought after brother!

Winemaker, Jean-Luc Zuger has been praised by wine media as "miraculous".

Winestyle "...elegant, full-bodied, harmonious, with hints of ripe cherry, black currant and blackberry, spicy notes, pleasant acidity, soft woody nuances and dry long finish"

Le Point magazine "Candied cherry, beautiful expressive nose, soft palate, velvety tannins, fresh, good finesse, a finish that will give you a surprise, superb fruit … all the power of a Cabernet." (French translation)

The Wine Cellar Insider "Winemaker, Jean-Luc Zuger is on fire at Chateau Malescot St. Exupery. The wines being made at the property today are stunning!"

Chateau Malescot St. Exupery has a long history in the Bordeaux wine region and is a Grand Cru Classé Chateau in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Malescot St. Exupery can be traced all the way back to 1616 when the Margaux estate was owned by the Escousses family. The Escousses were best known as notaries for the King.

Near the close of the century, in 1697 the Bordeaux wine estate was sold to Simon Malescot. Once Simon became the current owner, he followed the tradition of the time and changed the name of the estate to Malescot. Like the previous owner, Malescot also had a connection to royalty. He was the attorney-general to Louis XIV. Malescot remained with the Malescot family until the French revolution. At that point in time, the large estate was divided between three family members.

Over the next several years, the formerly robust Bordeaux wine estate of Malescot was split and split again. In 1813, Francois Benoit Dunogues purchased the chateau, reselling it in 1825 to Louis Pierlot. After Pierlot’s demise, his heirs had no interested in the wine business. They quickly resold the property to Comte Saint-Exupery.

In the tradition of Bordeaux chateau in the Medoc , following the lead of Malescot, he also added his name to the estate. The property was now known as Chateau Malescot Saint-Exupery.

The Zuger family bought it in 1955. At the time of the sale to the Zuger family Malescot St. Exupery was in such poor shape, only 7 hectares of vines were planted. Extensive replanting of vineyards took place and within a decade, 80% of the vineyard was planted. The Zuger family, headed by Jean Luc Zuger, who took over in 1994, continue to own and manage Chateau Malescot St. Exupery today. Michel Rolland is the consultant.

The vineyards of Chateau Malescot St. Exupery are situated on a terroir of gravel, chalk and clay soils with iron deposits. The vines are planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon , 10% Cabernet Franc , 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot . On average, the vines are 35 years of age. The vineyards is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare.

Bordeaux is one of the world's most prolific wine regions, it is also one of the the most famous and prestigious.

Bordeaux's climate is well moderated by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the various rivers (the Dordogne, the Garonne and the Gironde Estuary into which they flow). The region takes its name (which translates roughly as "next to the waters") from the port city of Bordeaux, which serves as its logistical and administrative center.

Eighty-nine per cent of wine produced in Bordeaux is red, and made by more than 8,500 producers (which are also known as châteaux).