2011 Malescot St Exupery

The 2011 Malescot St. Exupery offers a mixtures of red and black fruit, undergrowth, tobacco and graphite on the nose, moderate in complexity and well defined. It becomes more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy tannins, fine acidity, a liberal sprinkling of white pepper with a slightly foursquare, conservative and slightly bretty finish. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

Tasted blind. Very light nose. Then inky, tart and austere on the palate. Careful choice of food pairing may work but this is no great pleasure. (JR)

A bit reductive and sulphury on the nose. Cleaner and darker and more pure on the palate. Fluid, very dark flavoured. Serious but not charming. (JH)