CHÂTEAU MALESCOT SAINT EXUPÉRY

Gorgeous, flowery, classic Margaux once again, the 2010 Malescot St.-Exupery continues to show virtually no toasty oak, given the impeccable balance and full-bodied, full-throttle style it possesses. Black raspberries, creme de cassis and spring floral notes intermixed with forest floor and a hint of charcoal are followed by an opulent, sexy, full-bodied wine whose tannins have become much sweeter, while the wine is less restrained yet still exuberant and impressive. This is a phenomenal example once again for this estate, harmonious in every sense of style, extraordinarily long, rich and ageworthy. Three to four years of bottle age will do wonders to make it more accessible, but this wine is set for 25-30 years of longevity. Drinking range: 2013 - 2043 Rating: 95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Feb 2013)

Finely concentrated red and black fruits on the nose. Plump, suave and opulent palate with lots of vibrancy, vigour, density, length and purity. Vigorous and long, a very fine wine now and will be for a long time. Drink: 2015-2035 Rating: 94 Decanter Magazine (Oct 2012)

Opaque inky purple. Watermelon and pomegranate on the nose, complicated and lifted by a floral topnote. Enters so smooth and suave that it almost seems too light at first, then shows juicy, lively flavors of cherry and raspberry, with richer, riper black plum and smoky blackberry jam emerging at the back. Finishes with extremely silky tannins and wonderful floral lift. Strong but harmonious acids give outstanding clarity and cut to the flavors and convey an exhilarating sense of balance. This should age extremely well but is so crammed with seductive up-front fruit that I wonder how many bottles will make it to a ripe old age. Rating: 91-94 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2010)

This year this is Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 37%, Cabernet Franc 8% and not forgetting the Malbec which weighs in at 4%. A nice nose here, sweet and slightly smoky fruit, very open and attractive aromatics. Sweet and creamy fruit on the palate too, broad, with a forest fruit style together with notes of plum. A good grip here, rather tight but velvety tannins and balanced acidity bringing some life to the blend. Everything here seems very harmonious. Overall a wine with excellent potential. Rating: 17.5-18.5+ Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2010)

Lovely sap on the nose here – really appetising. Round and gentle – could do with just a tad more freshness perhaps. But there is so much crammed in here for the future... Persistent and promising. 2017-2032 Rating: 17.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2010)

Fine dense red, strikingly vibrant cassis nose, very good clear fruit with density and length, quite tight now and will open up well and always be distinctively spicy. Drink 2015-24. Rating: ****17.5 www.decanter.com (Apr 2010)

This is absolutely fabulous. I love the complex aromas of ripe fruit and fresh flowers that turn to mineral and raspberry, along with tannins on the finish. This changes all the time. Full-bodied and dense, but so beautiful and long. The layers of ultrafine tannins just turn off the tip of your tongue. Rating: 97-100 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Mar 2010)