Chateau Maucaillou 2019

From a 66-hectare vineyard on 80% gravel hilltops and 20% clay-limestone subsoils. Owned by the Dourthe family, this is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Gorgeous expression on the nose, herbal and dried flowers with dark, fragrant fruit. Smooth and utterly charming from the first sip, juicy, lively and fun—equal parts sweet, sharp and creamy, all combining to give a broad mouthfeel with dense, filling tannins, freshness and focus. Really quite captivating and a lovely delicate yet flavourful wine. Excellent styling, confident and characterful with nothing out of place. Crisp, fleshy, mineral, with a salty, wet-stone finish that I love.

Aromas of ripe plums, cherries, lemon zest, bark and licorice. It’s medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and fresh acidity. Structured and fresh. Drink from 2024.

After variable showings from barrel samples, the 2019 Maucaillou still needs to convince me of its credentials. The nose feels rather muted and lacks fruit concentration. The palate is better, with slightly furry tannins, fine acidity, and black fruit mixed with graphite toward the finish. It’s just let down by the aromatics at the moment.

Medium-bodied, spicy, fresh, soft, forward, fruity wine that will offer nice, early drinking, uncomplicated pleasure. Drink from 2022-2029.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, and a delicate bright rim. Fresh cherry aroma, with a hint of cassis and orange zest, and a gentle note of fine oak. Complex palate with black berry fruit, nougat, vivid ripe tannins, subtle toasty notes, and some minerality on the finish. As always somewhat rustic, but with good ageing potential.

Terrific stuff, the 2019 Château Maucaillou has ample redcurrant and mulberry fruit as well as attractive floral, spicy, and leafy herb nuances. Nicely textured, medium-bodied, and balanced, it's a classic, up-front, undeniably delicious Moulis to drink over the coming 7-8 years, possibly a decade.

Deep ruby red. Delicate bouquet of red cherries, cooled fruit tea, and a fine Arabica note. Mid-palate with a supportive tannic framework, a slightly powdery extract paired with a subtle bitter note. Focused finish with red-berry contours, juniper, and dried rosemary. Great potential!

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 13.5% alc. vol.) Red-berry, sweet, light bouquet, blackcurrant jelly, wood, caramel. Silky, light palate with sweet fruit, a slender structure, little good tannin, sweet aromatics, light finish.

(50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 13.5% vol. alcohol) Red-berry, sweet, light bouquet, redcurrant jelly, wood, caramel. Silky, light palate with sweet fruit, a slender structure, little good tannin, sweet aromatics, and a light finish. 16/20 2024 - 2035

Round, ripe tannins, fresh acidity, touches of smoked almond, grilled cedar, coffee bean, black-cherry fruit, with an appealing orange-peel bitterness on the finish. Enjoyable. Owned by Pascal and Magali Dourthe, 72-hectare estate. 70% new oak.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Maucaillou opens with red currant jelly, warm plums, and tobacco scents, plus hints of pencil lead and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, elegant, and savory in the mouth, the palate is finely crafted with a soft-spoken intensity and a refreshing finish.

An open, sensual nose with notes of red fruits, blood orange and aromatic herbs. Well balanced on the palate, with blackberry, salinity and a slight bitterness that offset somewhat pronounced tannins.

A highly refined bouquet with subtle notes of red and black berries. On the palate, the wine offers precise, fine-grained tannins. Maucaillou will never impress by sheer power, but the finesse it shows in 2019 is noteworthy! A juicy, fresh wine.

Fruity wine, with a soft body and medium length.

90–92. Barrel Sample. This is a ripe, jammy wine reveling in a bold structure as well as darkly tannic fruit. The 60% Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine structure and tannins that will allow it to age well.