Château Malescot St Exupéry 2024

Dark-fruited and smoky on the nose, with herbal notes; on the palate, ripe cherry fruit builds solid intensity, the tannins are well-judged, and the acidity gives drive; the finish is somewhat short, ending red-fruited with a bitter, slightly drying touch of blood orange zest.

Perfumed aromatics. Intense and expressive. Nicely ripe and chewy – even a touch sweet – at first before becoming more sleek and tapering with cool blue fruit and salty stones. It’s ripe but also not so expressive on the finish, more calm right now. Sleek, refined and well presented, just compact and tight right now.

Licorice, black cherries, smoke, and chocolate aromas kick off the wine. On the palate, the wine is fresh, juicy, vibrant, and medium-bodied, with a touch of peppery chocolate mint that rides along with the cherries and currants on the finish. The wine is a blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot. 13% ABV. The harvest took place October 1–October 15. Drink from 2028–2047. 91–93 pts

Sun-warmed flowers and ripe red fruits create an opulent bouquet, as seductive as a count with a handlebar moustache. Enveloping on the palate, creamy, with present tannins, and then a juicy finish.