2004 Château Malescot-St Exupery

Château Malescot St.-Exupery is in the Margaux appellation and is a Third Growth estate. The château dates its history to the late 17th century, when it was acquired by Simon Malescot. In the early 19th century it was purchased by Count Jean-Baptiste Saint-Exupery, who was the great grandfather of the aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery. After changing hands several times, it was purchased in 1955 by the Zuger family, who upgraded the estate and improved the quality of the wine. Today the estate’s 58 acres are planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Some 120,000 bottles are produced annually. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that “this wine represents one of Margaux’s best buys, and at its finest, is the quintessential expression of finesse, power and terroir.”

Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most famous appellations and also one of its largest, with about 3,400 acres of vineyards. Located on the Left Bank of the Gironde River, Margaux has the greatest number of classified-growth châteaux (or crus classé) according to the 1855 classification. There are twenty-one crus classé, including the most famous estate, the first growth Château Margaux. The Margaux appellation includes vineyards around the village of Margaux and the villages of Arsac, Cantenac, d’Issan, Labarde and Soussans. Wines from the best Margaux châteaux and vintages are prized for their perfumey fragrance and elegant, silky mouthfeel. Margaux wines are predominately Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.