Château Maucaillou - Moulis-en-Médoc 2019

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Just off 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, it was Pascal who, with the help of his two sisters Magali and Caroline, took over the reins in 2007, continuing the work begun by their father Philippe. Since the 2009 vintage, Magali has changed the style of the wines, which are now more suave and modern than in the past, while remaining vigorous and ageable.

Decanter

About the wine:

From a 66-hectare vineyard situated 80% on gravelly hilltops and 20% on clay-limestone subsoils. 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 fragrant black fruits. Unctuous and utterly charming from the first sip, juicy, lively and fun - equal parts sweet, spicy and creamy, all combining to give a broad mouthfeel with dense, full tannins, freshness and concentration. It's truly captivating and a delicate, tasty wine. Excellent style, confident and full of character, nothing is missing. Crisp, fleshy, mineral, with a saline, wet-stone finish that I love. 2023-2034

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

A flagship cru of Moulis, founded in 1875 on the Caubet and Maucaillou "bad rock" parcels, a gravelly hillside unsuitable for growing cereals for the peasants of the Middle Ages, but ideal for vines. Owned by the Dourthe family since 1929, the estate has grown from 3.5 ha to 90 ha. Philippe Dourthe, the current owner, has entrusted its management to his three children.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Barrel sample. This is a ripe, jammy wine with a bold structure and fruit with dark tannins. Around 60% Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine structure and tannins to age well.

Vinous

About the wine:

Maucaillou 2019 is a very pretty wine, elegant and nuanced, with beautiful aromatic presence and balance. A wine of delicacy and sobriety, the 2019 is classy and impeccable. Crushed flowers, red berries, mint. Beautifully made. 2023-2034

James Suckling

About the wine:

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

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Delicate bouquet with subtle notes of red and black berries. Precise, fine-grained tannins on the palate. Maucaillou will never shine for power, but the finesse it displays in 2019 is something to behold! A fresh, fruity wine. 2024-2032

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, offering a little racy power, fine intensity and concentration. Notes of strawberry, raspberry and, to a lesser extent, blackcurrant are combined with racy minerality, Sichuan pepper, violet and discreet hints of spice and chocolate. The palate is fruity, mineral and offers suavity, fine acidity, fine tension and precision. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of ripe/juicy blackcurrant, wild strawberry and, more lightly, small juicy/crisp red berries, combined with touches of fresh violet, fresh lilac, racy minerality and hints of blackberry, licorice and vanilla/blond tobacco. Well-balanced tannins.