Château Malescot St-Exupéry
A Third Growth Margaux estate renowned for elegant, structured wines that balance Bordeaux power with finesse.
Château Malescot St-Exupéry is a Third Growth (Troisième Cru) estate in Margaux, Médoc, classified in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The property produces consistently excellent left-bank Bordeaux blends, typically 50-65% Cabernet Sauvignon with significant Merlot contributions, showcasing the refined mineral character distinctive to Margaux terroir. Under current ownership and management, the château has maintained high quality standards while modernizing winemaking practices.
- Classified as Third Growth (Troisième Cru Classé) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, ranking above many better-known estates
- Located in Margaux appellation covering approximately 23 hectares of prime left-bank vineyard
- The 'St-Exupéry' portion of the château's name derives from a former owner, Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry, who owned the property in the 19th century, and is unrelated to the famous French author and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944).
- Produces approximately 10,000-12,000 cases annually of the grand vin, with a secondary wine called Château de Malescot
- Château Malescot St-Exupéry 2009 and 2010 are considered benchmark vintages, scoring 93-95 points from major critics
- Underwent significant investment and replanting of vineyard parcels beginning in the early 2000s to improve quality
- The terroir consists of Günz gravel and clay soils with excellent drainage, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon expression
Definition & Origin
Château Malescot St-Exupéry is an historic Margaux estate with origins dating to the 17th century, though its current name and structure developed in the 19th century. The château stands as a Third Growth estate following the prestigious 1855 Bordeaux Classification, representing 61 classified châteaux deemed worthy of official ranking. The property sits within the gravelly plateau of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most elegant and prestigious appellations, known for producing refined Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines with distinctive mineral complexity.
- Third Growth (Troisième Cru Classé) classification since 1855
- Located in Margaux, considered the most elegant of the Left Bank appellations
- Historical ownership included several notable Bordeaux families before modern consolidation
- The 'St-Exupéry' name derives from Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry, a former 19th-century owner, unrelated to the famous French author and aviator
Why It Matters
Malescot St-Exupéry represents the pinnacle of fine Bordeaux production at a slightly more accessible price point than First and Second Growths. As a Third Growth, the estate occupies a crucial position in the classification hierarchy, offering collectors and enthusiasts authentic classified Bordeaux with genuine aging potential and critical recognition. The château exemplifies modern quality-driven winemaking while maintaining classical Margaux elegance, making it essential for understanding contemporary fine Bordeaux and the evolution of classified properties.
- Offers genuine investment-grade Bordeaux at more accessible pricing than Premier Crus
- Demonstrates the quality consistency achievable within the Third Growth tier
- Reflects modern improvements in vineyard management and winemaking technique
- Essential reference point for understanding Margaux terroir expression
Terroir & Winemaking
The vineyard comprises 23 hectares planted predominantly on the Günz gravel plateau characteristic of Margaux's finest sites, with clay and sand subsoils providing excellent water regulation. The typical blend ranges from 50-65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25-35% Merlot, with small percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, reflecting the balanced approach needed for Margaux's more elegant expression. Modern fermentation employs temperature control in temperature-controlled vats, with aging in French oak (approximately 50% new) for 18-20 months, integrating subtle oak influence without overwhelming the wine's mineral structure.
- Günz gravel terroir produces distinctive mineral, elegant character compared to heavier Left Bank sites
- Typical blend: 50-65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25-35% Merlot, remainder Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc
- 18-20 months aging in French oak (50% new) balances oak integration with terroir expression
- Modern winemaking approach balances traditional Bordeaux structure with contemporary precision
Vintage Performance & Cellaring
Château Malescot St-Exupéry has demonstrated remarkable consistency, with excellent showings in challenging vintages like 2007 and 2011, and benchmark performances in 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2018. The wines typically require 8-12 years of cellaring to achieve optimal complexity, though quality examples from strong vintages develop gracefully over 20-30 years. Notable recent vintages include the powerful, structured 2018 (95 points, Wine Advocate) and the elegant, mineral-driven 2019 (92 points), demonstrating the estate's ability to adapt to varying climatic conditions.
- 2009 and 2010 rank among the estate's finest modern vintages (93-95+ points)
- 2018 shows excellent structure with aging potential extending to 25+ years
- 2015 demonstrates the estate's quality in warm, concentrated vintages
- Optimal drinking window generally 10-25 years from vintage, though varies with specific year
Classification & Recognition
As the only Third Growth classified in Margaux, Malescot St-Exupéry occupies an elite position within the appellation hierarchy. There are five total classified estates in Margaux: Château Margaux (First Growth), Rauzan-Ségla (Second Growth), Rauzan-Gassies (Second Growth), Lascombes (Second Growth), and Malescot St-Exupéry (Third Growth). The estate has earned consistent recognition from major critics, regularly scoring 90-95 points in strong vintages, and has become a benchmark reference for Third Growth quality. The wines demonstrate that classification status remains relevant to modern quality expression, with Malescot's pricing and positioning reflecting its official rank within the 1855 system.
- One of only five classified estates in Margaux appellation
- Consistently scores 90-95 points in favorable vintages from Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
- Represents authentic Third Growth quality and remains properly classified
- Benchmarks quality expectations for classified Bordeaux outside the Premier Cru tier
Collecting & Food Pairing
Château Malescot St-Exupéry offers excellent collecting value within classified Bordeaux, with secondary market availability superior to many First and Second Growths, making it attractive for serious collectors building comprehensive fine Bordeaux collections. The wines pair exceptionally with elegant proteins and umami-forward dishes that complement the mineral, structured nature of Margaux. Malescot represents an ideal entry point into classified Bordeaux collecting, offering investment potential, proven aging longevity, and critical recognition at more accessible price points than premier wines.
- Secondary market liquidity superior to many classified properties
- Good value proposition within classified Bordeaux for collectors at various levels
- Proven storage and cellaring infrastructure well-established globally
- Suitable for serious collectors seeking Third Growth representation in collections
Château Malescot St-Exupéry displays the refined elegance characteristic of Margaux, combining structured blackcurrant and plum fruit with distinctive mineral, graphitic undertones derived from gravelly terroir. The wines exhibit medium-to-full body with refined tannin structure—never aggressive—and integrated acidity that provides freshness and aging potential. Secondary characteristics evolve with age, developing cigar box, leather, and dried herb complexity, while maintaining the wine's signature mineral salinity and elegant mouthfeel throughout its drinking window.