Chateau Malescot St. Exupery 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux 2009

A wine, with intense spice and berry character, with hints of sweet tobacco. It changes all the time from flowers to fruit and wet earth. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and ripe fruit. It's long and juicy with lovely fruit. Super long and beautiful, with fine tannins that last for minutes. Tight now, but juicy and gorgeous. Best ever from here. Try in 2020.

An inky/purple color is followed by notes of Asian plum sauce, forest floor, creme de cassis, black raspberries and a floral component that is unusual for a Margaux. A wine of exceptional intensity and purity with a full-bodied, sumptuous texture, lots of fresh vibrancy and excellent definition, this beautiful 2009 exhibits high but sweet tannin. It is more sexy than the 2005 was at a similar age, although their level of extract and concentration is relatively equal. Something about the 2009 reminds me of a Margaux version of St.-Julien's Leoville Poyferre ... if that makes any sense. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.

Enticing dark plum colour, this is carefully extracted, emphasising the fully ripe fruits that head towards fig and blackberry, along with creme de cassis, incense and cinnamon, carefully balanced by fresher touches of sage and fennel herbs. Thoroughly enjoyable. 80% new oak for ageing.

Opaque inky purple. Watermelon and pomegranate on the nose, complicated and lifted by a floral topnote. Enters so smooth and suave that it almost seems too light at first, then shows juicy, lively flavors of cherry and raspberry, with richer, riper black plum and smoky blackberry jam emerging at the back. Finishes with extremely silky tannins and wonderful floral lift. Strong but harmonious acids give outstanding clarity and cut to the flavors and convey an exhilarating sense of balance. This should age extremely well but is so crammed with seductive up-front fruit that I wonder how many bottles will make it to a ripe old age.

Inky ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, blackberry jam and sweet balsamic vinegar. Rich and ripe in the mouth, with lively acidity lifting the creamy black fruit flavors and extending the wine's lightly peppery, very suave finish. Not the most refined or subtle Margaux you'll ever taste but immensely drinkable, and with plenty of depth and concentration to its aromas and flavors.