2009 Château Malescot-St-Exupéry

Description

98    James Suckling
“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.” (2/2012)

96    Robert Parker for Wine Advocate
“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 Léoville Poyferré … if that makes any sense.” (2/2012)

94    Steven Spurrier for Decanter
“Finely concentrated red and black fruits on the nose, really fine vineyard expression of controlled cassis and a touch of oak. Lots of vibrancy, vigour and purity, lots of density and length, and still the Margaux elegance. A very fine wine now and will be for a long time.” (6/2015)

94    James Molesworth for Wine Spectator
“This is beautiful, with smoldering tar, espresso and tobacco leaf notes fully melded together, while the core of crushed plum, steeped black currant and blackberry fruit sits in reserve. A twinge of iron adds extra length and definition on the finish. Very suave. Approachable now, but with plenty of stuffing and balance for the cellar as well.” (6/2012)