Malescot St. Exupery, Chateau
Summary
Château Malescot St. Exupéry, a Third Growth estate from the 1855 Classification, operates 24 hectares of deep gravel soils on the Margaux plateau, producing Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blends from 35-year-old vines. Under continuous Zuger family ownership since 1955, the estate maintains traditional practices including hand-harvesting and parcel-by-parcel vinification, aging their 80,000 annual bottles in 80% new French oak for 16-18 months.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Malescot St. Exupéry traces its origins to 1697 when Count Jean-Baptiste de Malescot acquired the estate. The property earned its classification as a Third Growth (Troisième Cru) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. After passing through several owners, the Zuger family purchased the château in 1955, marking the beginning of a sustained period of investment and modernization. Jean-Luc Zuger, who took the helm from his father Paul in the 1990s, continues to direct operations today.
Vineyards & Wines
The estate's 24 hectares of vineyards occupy prime terroir on the Margaux plateau, characterized by deep gravel soils typical of the appellation's finest sites. The vineyard composition reflects traditional Médoc proportions: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. The vines, averaging 35 years of age, are planted at high density according to Margaux regulations. The property's location on well-drained gravel ensures optimal ripening conditions for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Malescot St. Exupéry combines traditional methods with modern precision. Hand-harvesting is followed by careful sorting before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine ages for 16-18 months in French oak barrels, with 80% new oak used each vintage. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately to preserve its distinct characteristics before final blending. The estate maintains a consistent annual production of approximately 80,000 bottles of its grand vin.