2021 Ch Malescot Saint Exupery 3ème Cru, Margaux

DUE OCT 2024

Attractive smoky oak, well handled grilled smoke aromatics. This is rich but harmonious and balanced and goes long on the Margaux floral aromatics. Soft on the finish but lots to enjoy. Harvest September 30 to October 20. An enjoyable wine in the vintage from owner Jean-Luc Zuger.

90 points Jane Anson janeanson.com

High-toned and almost sharp fruit aspects on the palate but reigned back by freshness and fine tannins that provide a soft, supportive base. There is concentration but not so much weight in the mid-palate at the moment, rather the flavours are more lifted and aerial giving tone and nuance without so many layers. A little bit rustic also on the finish with some green pepper, clove and cinnamon coming through. Will no doubt harmonise and expand over ageing.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2038

90 points Georgina Hindle decanter.com

Beautifully balanced, the 2021 Château Malescot Saint Exupéry is a classic, impressive 2021 that's worth seeking out. Darker fruits, spice, dried herbs, and a kiss of flowers all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied, has ripe tannins, and shows the pretty, graceful style of the vintage.

91-94 points Jeb Dunnuck jebdunnuck.com

Medium-deep crimson. Cassis, carob hint vegemite aromas. Chocolaty palate with blackcurrant, malty flavours and fine grained/ gritty textures. Very good mid-palate richness and mineral length. 49% cabernet sauvignon, 38% merlot, 8% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot. 12–14 months in French oak. 13% alc

89-90 points Andrew Caillard MW

The 2021 Malescot St. Exupery is a terrific effort, offering up aromas of sweet cassis and plums mingled with notions of licorice, espresso roast and toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's impressively layered, with a sweet core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids. The dramatic style of the château has worked very well with the cooler, later-maturing vintage. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

This rather small, family-owned estate amounts to just over 28 hectares of vines. At the time of the 1855 classification, Malescot St. Exupery was much larger, but over the years, various proprietors sold off parcels, leaving the estate's holdings mostly concentrated on the plateau. Maturation is relatively unusual, in that the wines aren't racked and see bâtonnage of the lees, and they're bottled without either fining or filtration. Since around 2000, when Jean Luc Zuger's investments and changes started to make an impact, Malescot's style became rather rich and fleshy, standing out as one of the more dramatic, demonstrative wines in the appellation. In 2021, the Malescot team picked between 30 September and 5 October before stopping to wait for more complete maturity, despite the unfavorable weather forecast, recommencing between October 12th and 20th.

92-94 points William Kelley robertparker.com APR 2022

A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and energetic.

94-95 points jamessuckling.com