Chateau Malescot-St-Exupery

The history of Malesco-Saint-Exupéry dates back to 1697, when Louise Escuss sold the estate to Simon Malesco, an advisor to King Louis XIV in the Parliament of Bordeaux. He named the estate after himself—a common practice at the time. In 1827, the count Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry bought the château and added his name to it. Since then, this double name has stuck. However, Jean-Baptiste spent more than he had, and his widow was forced to sell the estate at auction in 1853. The estate then passed from hand to hand, and in 1870, under the management of the Fourcade and Boissac partnership, it acquired its current buildings and cellars – these cellars became the benchmark for other Médoc estates of the time.

A turning point came in June 1955, when the estate was purchased by Paul and Roger Zouger. By that time, its area was just 7 hectares. Since then, three generations of the family have restored it. Today it is run by Jean-Luc Zouger and his wife Catherine, and covers 28 hectares within the Margaux appellation.

Vineyards

All 28 hectares are located within Margaux, alongside Château Margaux and Château Rauzan-Ségla. The estate holds HVE (High Environmental Value) certification and employs biological pest control methods. The vines are on average 35 year old.

Terroir

The soils are predominantly gravelly, with underlying layers of chalk, clay and iron. The gravel drains the soil well and accumulates heat during the day, releasing it at night – this is beneficial for the ripening of the grapes in climatic conditions that can be challenging. The estate benefits from the oceanic influence characteristic of the Médoc.

Grapes

Four varieties are grown, each planted where the soil suits it best: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot play a secondary but carefully considered role, adding aromatic depth and density to the blend.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand and delivered to the cellar in crates. A minimalist approach is adopted: no added yeasts, no fining, no filtration, and a single racking during ageing. The wine undergoes bâtonnage sur lies (stirring of the lees) and is aged in barrels for 12 to 14 months, with 70% in new oak barrels. The final blend varies each year. At least 70% of the harvest is used to produce the grand vin.

Wines

Malescot produces two wines. The grand vin, Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry, is a Third Growth. The second wine, La Dame de Malescot, is made from the remaining harvest. The label bears the motto Semper Ad Altum, ‘always strive for the heights’, added in the 1850s and preserved to this day.