Château Malescot-Saint-Exupéry from Margaux in the Médoc, vintage 2022. Grand Cru Classé.
ABV: 14.5%
Grape Varieties: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Maturation: Aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, 70% new, enhancing complexity and adding subtle layers of spice and toast.
Tasting Note:
The 2022 Château Malescot St. Exupéry is a bold yet finely tuned Margaux that exudes both charm and concentration. Aromatically expressive, it bursts with sweet blackberries, blueberry compote and cassis, underscored by roasted espresso, sandalwood, and floral hints. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate reveals a plush, ripe core with seamless integration of oak and tannin. While rich and dense in character, a streak of vibrant acidity keeps it fresh and lively, giving the wine an elegant lift. The tannins are supple yet firm, ensuring a graceful evolution in bottle. A long, linear, and racy finish completes this polished wine, which gains complexity with air. Though approachable now for its fruit-forward allure, it will benefit from 3–4 years of cellaring, hitting its stride from 2029 onward, and for another decade or more thereafter. An excellent companion to grilled ribeye, duck breast, or mushroom-based dishes, this wine captures the opulence of the vintage while maintaining Margaux’s signature refinement. Rated 97 points out of 100 by James Suckling.
