2016 Chateau de Malleret 750ml

Critic tasting note: (2016 vintage) "Medium-bodied, fresh, lifted, and fully developed, the wine is loaded with sweet, ripe, fresh dark currants with a touch of chocolate, cigar wrapper, and spice, leaving you with a solid, round, long, fruit-filled finish. This is a true steal in the marketplace. If you are seeking a mature Left Bank Bordeaux that won't break the bank, this is it. Drink from 2023-2031." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Appellation: Haut-Médoc (Bordeaux, France)
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (46%), Petit Verdot (2%)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Vineyard Area: 38 ha
Average Vine Age: 25 years
Soil Type: Günz gravel
Viticulture: Sustainable pest control and biocontrol practices

Harvest & Vinification:
Grapes were harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and sorted by densimetry belt. The must was transferred by gravity into temperature-controlled concrete and wooden vats for plot-by-plot vinification. Fermentation occurred at 27–28°C with gentle punching down. The vatting lasted 3–4 weeks to ensure optimal extraction and balance.

Ageing:
Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (one-third new), followed by appropriate fining before bottling on June 5th, 2018.

Tasting Profile:
Elegant and classic Haut-Médoc style showing ripe blackcurrant and plum with touches of violet, cedar, and graphite. Medium-bodied and refined with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced structure with depth and length—an impressive example of Left Bank finesse.

Accolades:

James Suckling: 93/100

Neal Martin: 91/100

Tim Atkin: 90/100

Bernard Burtschy: 16.5/20

Jancis Robinson: 16.5/20

Hao Shen, Le Paradis du Vin: 93/100