2008 Chateau Malescot St-Exupery

An amazing success in this vintage, the dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 reveals its noble terroir in its complex aromatics of spring flowers and burning embers/charcoal. A medium to full-bodied mouthfeel displaying no hard edges and a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood result in an approachable, already evolved wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years.

Delivers gorgeous aromas of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a beautiful core of pure, sweet fruit. So refined and pretty. A cold pre-fermentation maceration yields lots of bright fruit and fine tannins

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The Malescot St. Exupery 2008 tasted very austere out of barrel, but thereafter the Merlot-component appears to have awoken from its slumber to offer attractive wild strawberry and red cherry aromas to complement that hints of sous-bois and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied, piquant and rather tart, but demonstrating fine vigour with a crisp, quite elegant finish. Think of a pretty girl promenading down the esplanade in a red polka-dot dress. Tasted January 2012.

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot.Bright crimson. Rather opulent on the nose - hints of tobacco - and a little more burly and savoury than usual, perhaps because of less Merlot flesh. Dry start with the same backbone as the Pavillon Rouge. Firm, very fine tannins. No shortage of acidity. Mainly structure at the moment. Very clean but very youthful. Great freshness. Purity but I do feel we are tasting this too young. It should take on a bit more flesh. Very straight backed. Very fresh. Very embryonic.