The 2017 Malescot St. Exupéry has a simpler bouquet than recent vintages with high-toned red cherry and raspberry fruit, quite “warm” compared to its peers and it would benefit from a little more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It is not a complex Malescot St. Exupéry but I admire the balance and focus. There is plenty of tightly wound red berry fruit laced with cedar and smoke, quite finessed towards the finish with a long spicy aftertaste. I would just like the aromatics to step up to the grade of the palate, so let’s see how this shows once in bottle. 91-93 points

This is fairly substantial on the palate, although the fruit is just a notch below full ripeness. They have done a good job here, producing an enjoyable wine. There is evidence of winemaking on show which is skilfully carried out, but it just finishes a little short. Enjoyable medium term drinking from owner Jean-Luc Zuger. 90 points

Dark greyish crimson. Smoky cassis nose. Pretty dilute on the mid palate. Fresh enough but really lacks a core to hold for the long term. 15 points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Malescot St. Exupery is scented of crushed red and black cherries, warm plums and mulberries with touches of roses and wood smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of vibrant red and black fruits and soft, plush tannins, with a long, perfumed finish. 91-93 points