Chateau Malescot St. ExuperyProducer from Bordeaux, France

Margaux, Bordeaux
Bordeaux 1855 Classification: Third Growth

Château Malescot St. Exupéry is a prestigious wine estate located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux’s Left Bank. Classified as a Third Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Château Malescot St. Exupéry has built a reputation for producing wines that combine power, finesse, and elegance—hallmarks of the Margaux style. With a long and storied history, this estate continues to be a standout producer in the region, consistently delivering wines of exceptional quality.

History of Château Malescot St. Exupéry

The origins of Château Malescot St. Exupéry can be traced back to the late 17th century, when it was founded by Simon Malescot, a lawyer and advisor to King Louis XIV. Over the centuries, the estate passed through several hands, but it was not until the 19th century that it took on its modern identity. In 1827, the Count of Saint-Exupéry, an ancestor of famed French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, purchased the château and added his name to the estate, solidifying its legacy.

The estate’s fortunes declined in the early 20th century, following the phylloxera epidemic and World War II. However, in 1955, Paul Zuger acquired Château Malescot St. Exupéry, initiating a period of revitalization that restored the château to its former glory. Significant investments were made in the vineyards and cellars, and the estate’s wines began to garner critical acclaim once again. Today, the estate is managed by the Zuger family, who continue to uphold the high standards of quality established over the past decades.

Terroir of Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Château Malescot St. Exupéry’s vineyards cover 28 hectares in the heart of Margaux, one of Bordeaux’s most renowned appellations. The estate benefits from Margaux’s signature gravelly soils, which provide excellent drainage and encourage deep root growth. These well-drained soils are particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region and contributes to the wine’s structure and ageing potential.

The vineyard is planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. The diversity of grape varieties allows for a blend that reflects the estate’s terroir, with the gravel providing minerality and the clay-limestone subsoils adding richness and complexity. The proximity to the Gironde estuary also moderates the climate, ensuring a long growing season that allows the grapes to reach full ripeness while maintaining balanced acidity.

Winemaking at Château Malescot St. Exupéry

At Château Malescot St. Exupéry, winemaking is a blend of traditional practices and modern techniques. The grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavours and tannins. The use of concrete vats, in particular, helps to preserve the purity of fruit while maintaining freshness and vibrancy in the wines.

The wines are aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels, with around 70% new oak used each year. This careful use of oak adds complexity to the wines, imparting subtle notes of spice, vanilla, and toast while allowing the fruit to shine. The winemaking team strives to produce wines that are expressive of the Margaux terroir, focusing on balance, elegance, and ageing potential.

Style of Wine Produced

Château Malescot St. Exupéry is known for producing wines that are classic representations of Margaux—elegant, structured, and aromatic. The wines are medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a complex bouquet of blackcurrant, cherry, violet, and cedar. On the palate, the wines are silky and refined, with layers of dark fruit, spice, and earthy undertones. The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot provides both structure and softness, making the wines approachable in their youth while capable of ageing for decades.

The wines of Château Malescot St. Exupéry are celebrated for their finesse, displaying the hallmark grace and aromatic complexity that Margaux is known for, while also offering the power and structure needed for long-term cellaring.