2009 Chateau Malescasse Haut Medoc 750 ml

The Sweet Spot Between Margaux and Gruaud Larose

The 2009 Château Malescasse is one of the best Left Bank values we’ve ever offered. This is a Haut-Médoc that sits smack in the middle of Château Margaux and Gruaud Larose, and was managed by the Tesseron family of Pontet Canet fame. But this one isn’t $1,000, or even $100; it’s $29.99.

The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux has already been etched into the stone tablets as one of the greatest vintages ever. Between the château owners, consumers, and journalists—everyone seems to be in agreement. Wine Spectator gave the vintage 97 points. After tasting out of barrel, Robert Parker called it “the greatest vintage in 50 years,” rating the Left Bank appellations between 97-99 points. The reason for universal agreement? The 2009 growing season produced fleshy and lush red wines with just the right amount of alcohol. All of the core ingredients were in place and in perfect amounts.

The Haut-Médoc continues to be one of the last great bargains in the prime real estate of the Left Bank. Château Malescasse is set on the same gravel soils one finds in Margaux and Saint-Julien. In fact, the Château Malescasse sits directly in between Château Gruaud Larose to the north and Château Margaux to the south, just 10 minutes away from each. The property is so ideal it was snatched up by the Tesseron family, owners of Chateau Pontet Canet, and restored to its highest potential through replanting and renovation. Though they have since sold Malescasse, the 2009 vintage was made on their watch, and the combination of the idyllic vintage and the watchful eye of the management of Pontet Canet make this Haut Medoc a must-have.

There are more similarities than differences when you compare the finest wines of the Haut-Médoc to their neighbors in Margaux and Saint-Julien. The biggest difference is price: top Margaux and Saint-Julien can fetch $1,000 per bottle while Haut-Médoc can always be had for much less. The 2009 Chateau Malescasse is your under-$30 ticket to a rare Left Bank bargain, and a stellar bottling to boot of the legendary 2009 vintage.