Château Malescasse 2016

The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Malescasse reveals expressive notes of black cherries, cassis and mulberries, with nuances of cigar box, pencil lead and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate is delicately crafted with understated fruit framed by a bit of chewiness and finishes refreshingly restrained.

Solidly built, showing tobacco and charcoal notes mixed with dark currant and blackberry compote flavors. There's good energy here, and the fruit and earth details meld well through the finish. Has a little grip for mid-term cellaring too. Best from 2021 through 2030. 5,594 cases made.

A broad-shouldered Haut-Médoc that feels true to the vintage, fleshed out with cassis and blackberry fruits and confident tannins, with traces of heat through the mid-palate making it a little uncharacteristic of the appellation, but this has swagger and interest – an excellent wine.

The 2016 Malescasse has a very high-toned bouquet with blueberry and black cherry fruit, very floral in style but just very high-toned and showy. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, plenty of tarry black fruit, but it lacks definition on the finish and feels over-egged in the winery. This is disappointing, as I admired other vintages of Malescasse in the past. A second bottle is slightly better but still bitter, and this one slightly metallic on the finish. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.

Fleshy, round, rich, ripe and juicy, with good character, this is the best vintage of Malescasse I have tasted.

ripe nose offering ripe dark fruit, cassis, plum, cherry, tobacco and discreet oak. Good grip and extraction, finely tuned with fine coffee, oak, dark fruit notes, structured and long finish.

From vines located between Margaux and Saint-Julien, the 2016 Château Malescasse is a winner and a solid step up over the 2015. Saturated ruby/purple-colored with a smoking good bouquet of blackberries, saddle leather, dried herbs, and lead pencil, this beauty hits the palate with medium- to full-bodied richness, a rounded, sexy texture, and a serious finish. Hats off to this estate and the consulting team of Stéphane Derenoncourt for this stunning effort. Drink it any time over the coming 15+ years.

Very dark purple with violet highlights. Expansive, blueberry-driven bouquet with cassis and blackberry, followed by Earl Grey notes and light tobacco. On the palate, powerful, with supportive, finely powdery tannins; aromatic finish with good drive and elderberry essence. This Haut-Médoc is one to watch!

Kunz barrel sample 17: floral notes, herbs, light bouquet, red cherries, grenadine, wood. Light, fresh palate with medium fruit, powerful aromatics, good tannins, finely muscular structure, long, bitter finish.

Floral, herbs, light bouquet, red cherries, grenadine, wood. Light, fresh palate with medium fruit, powerful aromatics, good tannin, finely muscular structure, long, bitter finish. 17/20 2022 - 2034

Remarkable success across all samples. A refinement of texture and flavor worthy of a classified growth. An ambitious wine, perfectly accomplished.

Nose of small black fruits. Fruity, taut wine with tannins still a bit firm.

Garnet red with purple highlights. Malescasses 2016 reveals itself slowly. Its bouquet shows aromas of candied fruit and spices after a bit of aeration. Creamy, smooth character on the palate. On one hand I note a charming touch, but on the other the wine is drying and warm, even hot, on the finish. Difficult to approach for now.

Dark color with good intensity. Fruity nose. Lovely, rather airy entry on the palate, where the wine develops a rich, flavorful texture. It finishes spicy, slightly oaky, with a sappy persistence.