Château Maucaillou - Moulis-en-Médoc 2019

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Located near the Moulis train station, the architecture of Château Maucaillou is quite unusual, combining Renaissance and 18th-century styles. Owned by the Dourthe family since 1929, Pascal took over the reins in 2007 with the help of his two sisters, Magali and Caroline, continuing the work begun by their father Philippe. Since the 2009 vintage, Magali has changed the style of the wines, which are now smoother and more modern than in the past, while remaining vigorous and suitable for aging.

Decanter

About wine:

Produced from a 66-hectare vineyard located 80% on gravelly hilltops and 20% on clay-limestone subsoil. Owned by the Dourthe family, this wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. The nose is magnificent, with notes of herbs and dried flowers accompanied by black fruits and fragrant aromas. Smooth and utterly charming from the first sip, juicy, lively, and fun—equally sweet, spicy, and creamy, all combining to give a broad mouthfeel with dense, full tannins, freshness, and concentration. It is truly captivating and a delicate, flavorful wine. Excellent style, confident and full of character, nothing is missing. Crisp, fleshy, mineral, with a salty, wet stone finish that I love. 2023-2034

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

A flagship wine from Moulis, founded in 1875 in the localities of Caubet and Maucaillou ("bad stone"), a gravelly hilltop unsuitable for growing grain for medieval farmers, but ideal for vines. Owned by the Dourthe family since 1929, this estate has grown from 3.5 hectares at that time to 90 hectares today. Philippe Dourthe, the current owner, has entrusted its management to his three children.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Barrel sample. This is a ripe, jammy wine with bold structure and dark fruit tannins. The approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine structure and tannins that will allow it to age well.

Vinous

About wine:

Maucaillou 2019 is a very nice wine, elegant and nuanced, with a beautiful aromatic presence and lovely balance. A delicate and understated wine, the 2019 is classy and impeccable. Crushed flowers, red berries, mint. It is beautifully made. 2023-2034

James Suckling

About wine:

Aromas of ripe plum, cherry, lemon zest, bark, and licorice. It is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and fresh acidity. Structured and fresh. Drink from 2024 onwards.

Yves Beck

About wine:

A delicate bouquet with subtle notes of red and black berries. On the palate, the wine has precise, fine-grained tannins. Maucaillou will never shine in terms of power, but the finesse it displays in 2019 is noteworthy! A delicious, fresh wine. 2024-2032

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is fruity and offers a touch of racy power, fine intensity, and concentration. There are notes of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of blackcurrant, combined with touches of racy minerality, Sichuan pepper, violet, and subtle hints of spice and chocolate. The palate is fruity and mineral, offering smoothness, a delicate acidity, fine tension and precision. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of ripe/juicy blackcurrant, wild strawberry and, more subtly, small juicy/crunchy red berries, combined with hints of fresh violet, fresh lilac, racy minerality and hints of blackberry, licorice, and vanilla/blond tobacco. The tannins are well-integrated.