2012 Malescot St-Exupery (Margaux)

This wine offers attractive floral notes intermixed with notions of lavender, black currants, black cherries, smoke and earth. It is another successful effort from an estate that has been consistently producing exceptional wines in all the finest vintages over the last 15-20 years. An attractive, seductive, dense ruby/purple-hued, medium-bodied 2012, it finishes with some shortness, but everything leading up to the finish is impressive. Like most of these 2012s that possess a certain forward appeal, it should drink well for 12-15 years. 89-92 points

I tasted the Malescot St. Exupery on two occasions. It is a blend 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot that was picked between 9 and 20 October. There is a lot of ambition evident on the “gourmand” like nose. blackberry, cooked meat and tertiary aromas emerging after a few swirls of the glass. The palate is fleshy and forward on the entry. There is plenty of sweet fruit, perhaps the oak imparting a f ew “seasoned” flavours, although there is decent definition on the austere, masculine finish. 87-89 points

Deep intense crimson. Up-front nose of fruit, with a hint of oak. Caressing texture on entry leading to a perfumed and dense mid-palate laced with well-coated tannins; Attractive and substantial finish offering voluptuous flavors. More linear and less obviously right bank than usual. 90-91 points