PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Malescot St. Exupéry is a Third Growth of Margaux in the 1855 classification, known for dark, concentrated, richly perfumed wines that combine the appellation’s silkiness with real ripeness and power. The 2022 vintage was hot and dry, and Malescot made one of its most flamboyant wines in years: a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, with 8,364 cases produced, a healthy pH of 3.65, and a high alcohol of about 14.5%. The Wine Advocate called it “one of the appellation’s most flamboyant wines,” though it “retains good balance.”
James Suckling scored it 97 Points and ranked it #36 in his Top 100 Wines of France for 2025: “Plenty of blackcurrant and blueberry character here with cedar and sandalwood undertones that give such interest. Medium- to full-bodied, this has integrated tannins and a long and linear finish. Racy at the end. Classy. Give this three or four years to slightly soften, but it’s already a joy to taste. Drink after 2029.” He also noted “a delineated bouquet featuring crisp and airy blackberry, raspberry and light iris flower scents.” Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth scored it 96, Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss 94 (“bottled without fining or racking to preserve all its fruit, the wine is dense and powerful... a very fine wine, the black currant aroma and powerful tannins giving an impressive appearance”), Decanter’s Georgina Hindle 94, Vinous 93 (“quite Burgundian in style... mineral-driven with a dash of spice towards the finish. There is an endearing purity about this Margaux, and it should drink well for 15 to 20 years”), and Jane Anson 93. Jeff Leve scored it 94, noting “espresso, black raspberries, chocolate, cherries, and mint aromas pop in the perfume.” The Wine Advocate’s William Kelley described “aromas of rich blackberries, cassis, sweet spices, pencil shavings and creamy new oak,” with a palate that is “medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy,” with “a layered core of expressive fruit that’s framed by sweet, powdery tannins,” with reported scores varying between sources from 90 to 95. Jancis Robinson was more reserved in an early blind tasting (juicy and aromatic, possibly early-maturing), a reminder that 2022’s richer wines have divided critics.
The château’s own notes describe “ripe, fresh, slightly jammy grapes,” “dark, intense colour,” “lovely balance with a supple tannic framework,” and “beautiful concentration. A bounteous wine.” It’s a rich, polished Margaux with a drinking window opening around 2029 and running to 2040 or beyond, a classic choice for beef, lamb, duck, and game, and it’s decanted best about four hours before serving.
Château Malescot St. Exupéry 2022 is produced at Château Malescot St. Exupéry in Margaux, Bordeaux, France, a Third Growth (3ème Grand Cru Classé) in the 1855 classification. The 2022 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. 8,364 cases were produced. About 14.5% ABV, 750ml.
James Suckling — 97 Points (#36, Top 100 Wines of France 2025):
“Plenty of blackcurrant and blueberry character here with cedar and sandalwood undertones that give such interest. Medium- to full-bodied, this has integrated tannins and a long and linear finish. Racy at the end. Classy. Give this three or four years to slightly soften, but it’s already a joy to taste. Drink after 2029.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator — 96 Points (January 2025)
Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points:
“Bottled without fining or racking to preserve all its fruit, the wine is dense and powerful. It is a very fine wine, the black currant aroma and powerful tannins giving an impressive appearance.”
Georgina Hindle, Decanter — 94 Points
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider — 94 Points:
“Espresso, black raspberries, chocolate, cherries, and mint aromas pop in the perfume.”
Vinous — 93 Points:
“It’s quite Burgundian in style. Like the nose, it’s mineral-driven with a dash of spice towards the finish. There is an endearing purity about this Margaux, and it should drink well for 15 to 20 years. This is very fine.”
Jane Anson — 93 Points
William Kelley, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (reported 90–95 depending on source):
“Offering up aromas of rich blackberries, cassis, sweet spices, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, the 2022 Malescot St. Exupery is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a broad attack that segues into a layered core of expressive fruit that’s framed by sweet, powdery tannins.”
Château Malescot St. Exupéry (official tasting notes):
“Ripe, fresh, slightly jammy grapes. Dark, intense colour. Lovely balance with a supple tannic framework. Beautiful concentration. A bounteous wine.”
Nose
Dark, intense color. Blackberry, cassis, blackcurrant, and raspberry, with iris, espresso, cedar, sandalwood, pencil shavings, and sweet spice.
Palate
Medium- to full-bodied, rich, and fleshy, with blackcurrant, blueberry, and a layered core of fruit, framed by sweet, powdery, polished tannin.
Finish
Long, linear, and racy, with spice and a mineral edge.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Margaux, Médoc, Bordeaux, France |
| Classification | Troisième Grand Cru Classé (Third Growth), 1855 |
| Blend | 55% Cabernet Sauvignon · 40% Merlot · 5% Petit Verdot |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Producer | Château Malescot St. Exupéry |
| Production | 8,364 cases |
| ABV | ~14.5% |
| Critics | James Suckling 97 · Wine Spectator 96 · Wine Enthusiast 94 · Decanter 94 · Jeff Leve 94 · Vinous 93 · Jane Anson 93 |
| Drinking Window | 2029–2040 and beyond |
| Style / Identity | A rich, flamboyant, polished Margaux from a hot, dry vintage |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackberry, cassis, raspberry, iris, cedar, sandalwood, espresso |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Decant about four hours before serving, as the château recommends; serve at about 62-65°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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