Malescot St. Exupery 2018 (750ML)

95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Malescot St. Exupery leaps from the glass with expressive scents of baked blackberries, Morello cherries and boysenberries with hints of blackcurrant cordial, dark chocolate, licorice and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has impressive intensity without heaviness, delivering mouth-coating black fruits and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with a refreshing earthy lift." 03/21

94 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Malescot St. Exupery has a very attractive bouquet of detailed scents of red currant, wild strawberry, wilted rose petals and crushed stone, all gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins matched with a fine bead of acidity. It feels a little more compact than its Margaux peers and exerts an insistent grip on the finish. But I admire its focus and precision. A Margaux that should age with style over the next 20–30 years." 03/21

93-96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2018 Malescot Saint Exupéry is fabulous. Powerful and explosive in the glass, and yet remarkably polished, the 2018 is impressive. Graphite, smoke, gravel, spice and leather infuse a potent, full-bodied Margaux built on structure. Even so, in this vintage, Malescot shows unusually supple tannins and a softer feel than is usually the case. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted three times." 4/19

97 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "A seductive Margaux with an intense nose of black fruit and red plums. Some herb and wood notes, too. It’s full-bodied with pretty, pure-berry flavors with some crushed stones and cement. The texture is silky and fine-grained and the tannins melt into the wine. Precise, flavorful finish with length. Try after 2024." 01/21

95 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "Lovely, with gently mulled plum, blackberry and black currant fruit sailing through atop a velvety structure while mouthwatering bay, black tea and iron notes flow underneath. Seductive, detailed finish lets a sanguine note echo longest. Gorgeous wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036." 01/21

93 Points, Jane Ansen, Decanter: "Confident and balanced. This is enjoyable, with enough graphite and chocolate shavings to ensure a gourmet take on the vintage, but not going over the top and retaining flesh through the black fruits. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend." 11/20

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "I loved the 2018 Château Malescot Saint Exupéry from barrel two years ago, and it certainly doesn't disappoint from bottle today. Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this deeply hued beauty boasts smoking good notes of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and spice. Full-bodied and impressively concentrated, it has a stacked mid-palate, ripe, sweet yet certainly present tannins, a terrific sense of freshness, and a great finish. It's going to fun comparing this and the 2016 over the coming two decades! While there's some up-front accessibility and charm here, it really needs 4-6 years of bottle age and is going to have 20-25 years of overall longevity. This is gem of a wine that's well worth seeking out." 03/21