The 2023 Malescot-St-Exupery, a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Margaux sub-region in Bordeaux, France, has garnered high praise from several respected wine reviewers, reflecting its well-crafted nature and promising potential.
James Suckling awarded the wine an impressive 97 points, emphasizing its deep and beautiful palate with notes of cherries, chocolate, hazelnut, and orange peel. He described the finish as having "gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle" with open tannins. Suckling also highlighted the blend's composition of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, which contributes to its complexity (jamessuckling.com).
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, represented by William Kelley, also praised the 2023 vintage, giving it 95 points. Kelley noted it as "one of the most suave, classy vintages from this estate in some years," with aromas of cherries, berries, licorice, and pencil shavings. He highlighted the wine’s medium to full-bodied nature, fleshy and succulent profile, and harmonious, integrated character. Part of the blend is maturing in foudre, adding depth to its structure (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).
Vinous reviewer Neal Martin scored the wine 94 points, noting its blackberry and briar nose, medium-bodied palate, and fine structure with slightly powdery tannins. Martin emphasized the fresh acidity and salinity, making it more classically hewn compared to the 2022 vintage. He suggested it will require five or six years of aging (Vinous).
Jane Anson, with a score of 92 points, described the wine as inky and richly oaked with dark plum color, cloves, cassis, licorice, and cocoa dusting. Anson mentioned Léa Zuger's efforts to reduce oak influence and the ongoing work with Michel Rolland, noting the wine’s 60% new oak and a yield of 39hl/h (janeanson.com).
Jeff Leve, awarding the wine 96 points, highlighted its opulent, deep, dark style with ripe, soft, polished, sweet fruits. He pointed out the reduction in new French oak usage to 60%, which added complexity. The wine’s ABV is 14%, and it is recommended for drinking from 2029 to 2055 (TheWineCellarInsider.com).
Jeb Dunnuck and The Wine Independent both rated the wine 94 points, praising its balance, charm, and character. Dunnuck noted the "rocking red and black fruits, spicy wood, savory herbs, and sandalwood notes," while Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent emphasized its classic scents of blackcurrants, kirsch, and pencil shavings with a minerally lift on the finish (jebdunnuck.com, The Wine Independent).
Overall, the 2023 Malescot-St-Exupery is a notable Bordeaux blend with a strong showing across various respected reviewers, indicating a well-rounded, complex, and promising vintage.