Château Malescot St Exupéry 2021

More open and accessible than En Primeur, fragrant, mineral, violets, red berries, toasted notes; crisp fruit, pronounced tannins, plenty of drive and freshness, can age.

The 2021 Malescot St. Exupery has turned out nicely in its fleshy, flamboyant style, bursting with aromas of dark berries, cherries and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, with supple tannins and a lively core of fruit, it's a strong effort.

Leads with bay leaf and savory accents, followed by earth-tinged red and black currant fruit flavors. Reveals a leathery accent on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 9,000 cases made.

Lots of fruit on the nose, with notes of floral perfume and concentration as well as green tones. A calm wine, with not-too-high acidity compared to some, so it feels as if it’s missing a bit of life and verve, with quite austere, grainy tannins that grip and hold on. Tight and quite restrained for now, with blackcurrant, plum and cherry accents. It doesn’t feel overworked but needs time to come together a bit more. Shows promise.

49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Mid ruby. Red plums, rosemary and pencil shavings show on both nose and palate, which is delicate and airy. Acids wash over the fruit, keeping it fresh yet slightly diluting its intensity. (TP)

Flowers, espresso, licorice and black cherries line the perfume. The palate is supple, creamy, and vibrant, with a touch of savory herbs and oak that accompanies the plums and dark, cocoa-dusted cherries on the mid-palate and through the finish. Drink from 2027–2050.

Opaque ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Elegant aromas of blackberries with hints of black cherry, spice and tobacco nuances. Juicy, elegant, fine dark berry fruit, integrated tannins and minerality with a long length, great ageing potential.

The 2021 Château Malescot Saint Exupéry is rock-solid in the vintage, with a plump, medium-bodied, nicely textured style. Red and blue fruits, tobacco, spice, and some leafy herb notes all define the aromatics, and it has enough concentration and class to evolve for 10–12 years, if not longer. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged 12–14 months in barrel.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 40 hl/ha, 13% alc. by vol.) Silky, fragrant, refined bouquet, raspberries, red cassis, fine woods. Delicately structured, fresh palate with fine, sweet fruit, good tannins, elegant structure, sweet, refined aromatics, long finish.

(49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 40 hl/ha, 13% abv) Silky, fragrant, fine bouquet, raspberry, red cassis, noble woods. Delicate, fresh palate with fine, sweet fruit, good tannin, elegant structure, sweet, refined aromatics, long finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Soft through the mid-palate, this majors on raspberry and red cherry fruits, along with lemongrass and underripe plum notes; it struggles to really get going and the acidity is a little high, although the attractive gunsmoke and grilled oak help round things out. Harvest September 30 to October 20. An enjoyable wine in the vintage from owner Jean-Luc Zuger. Michel Rolland consultant

The 2021 Malescot St. Exupery has a deep garnet-purple color. It is quite closed to start, unfurling to reveal notes of black and red currants, boysenberries, and tar, followed by wafts of wild sage and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is lively and chock-full of expressive black and red fruit, with grainy tannins and an earthy finish.

Open on the nose, it releases notes of black fruits. On the palate, the wine is both fine and opulent, filling the mouth. The texture, very refined, undulates like the waves of a rough sea.

Dark, purple color. Very aromatic nose, fruity, ripe, and for the first time floral at this age. The palate is surprisingly soft throughout, developing with savory flavor and depth. The finish is slightly more lively, but without hardness.