Château Malescot St-Exupéry

The estate's origins trace to 1616 under the Escousses family. Simon Malescot purchased it in 1697, lending his name to the property. In 1827, Count Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry acquired the estate; he was the great-grandfather of the celebrated aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince. The motto 'Semper Ad Altum' (Always Striving Higher) has appeared on labels since 1853, the year Messrs. Fourcade and Boissac took ownership. In 1870, the estate became the first Bordeaux winery to use gravity fermentation. Confiscated during World War I, it passed through various hands before the Zuger family purchased it in 1955 with just 7 hectares. Catherine and Jean-Luc Zuger have owned and managed the property since 1994, expanding it to its current size.

• Origins date to 1616 under the Escousses family
• Named for Simon Malescot (1697 purchaser) and Count Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry (1827 purchaser)
• First Bordeaux winery to use gravity fermentation, in 1870
• Zuger family ownership since 1955; Catherine and Jean-Luc Zuger since 1994

Château Malescot St-Exupéry sits in the village of Margaux, directly adjacent to Château Margaux and near Château Rauzan Ségla. The estate's 28 planted hectares feature soils of gravel, chalk, and clay with iron deposits, classic terrain for the Margaux appellation. The temperate maritime climate is moderated by proximity to the Gironde estuary, protecting the vines from extremes of heat and cold.

• Located adjacent to Château Margaux in the village of Margaux
• Soils of gravel, chalk, and clay with iron deposits
• Temperate maritime climate moderated by the Gironde estuary
• 28 hectares planted at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare

The estate's vineyards average 35-40 years of vine age, contributing to the concentration and complexity in the wines. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats and stainless steel tanks, with aging carried out for 12-16 months in French oak barrels. Renowned consulting oenologist Michel Rolland guided winemaking at the estate from 1995. Production reaches approximately 120,000 bottles per vintage.

• Average vine age of 35-40 years
• Fermentation in temperature-controlled concrete vats and stainless steel tanks
• Aged 12-16 months in French oak barrels
• Michel Rolland served as consulting oenologist from 1995

Château Malescot St-Exupéry produces wines that express the classic elegance of the Margaux appellation. The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend delivers deep color, silky texture, sweet tannins, and dark fruit character. The wines are built for aging, rewarding cellaring with additional complexity. La Dame de Malescot serves as the estate's second wine.

• Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) leads the blend, supported by Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (10%), and Petit Verdot (5%)
• Style characterized by deep color, silky tannins, and dark fruit
• Wines are built for medium to long-term aging
• Second wine La Dame de Malescot offers earlier accessibility