Chateau Malescot 'La Dame de Malescot' 2018 ~ Margaux, Bordeaux, France

93/100 James Suckling
92/100 Falstaff
93/100 Falstaff (2017 vintage)
90/100 Falstaff (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2015 vinatge)
92/100 Falstaff (2014 vintage)
90/100 Decanter (2012 vintage)

James Suckling "This is so drinkable and pretty with fine tannins, as well as currant, spice, cedar and light chocolate aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and very fine-tannined with a long and persistent finish. Second wine of Malescot."

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."

Falstaff "Deep dark ruby, purple reflexes, faint brightening on the rim. Delicate dried fruit on the nose with a hint of fig, dark berry fruit, fine herbal savouriness and candied orange zest. Juicy and elegant with pleasant substance, integrated, supporting tannins and good length with a mineral finish. " (2017 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." (2016 vintage)

James Suckling "Ripe blackberry and dark plums with a wealth of violets and raspberries. This has a very plush palate with slick, smooth and ripe tannins that carry raspberry and red-plum flavors. Quite approachable." (2015 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)

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).