Château Malescasse is situated in the commune of Lamarque, the highest point between Margaux and Saint-Julien, right next to the Gironde estuary.
Acquired by Philippe Austruy in 2012, this estate has been renowned since ancient times and possesses a superb terroir. The 40-hectare single vineyard is managed as a grand cru and the modernised winery allows a precise vinification of small batches.
Soil
The rolling gravel hillsides of Pyrenean origin date from the Quaternary period. The geological variability of the soil is the result of historic river currents.
Growing
In order to improve the soil’s structure and create the necessary conditions for active microbial life, an annual autumn loosening of the soil is carried out every year followed by cereal cover crops between the rows of vines.
The plant’s vigorous growth is then controlled in a bespoke way. Regular clearing of the summer greenery involves work worthy of a grand cru: splitting, leaf thinning, removal of secondary shoots, green harvesting, and/or de-compacting the bunches of grapes, second leaf thinning.
The manual harvest is carried out in open crates to protect the grapes. The yield is 35 hl/h.
Vinification
Vertical destemming – manual sorting on a vibrating table – weighing of the harvest for more precise yields – gravity-fed plot-by-plot vatting in small wooden and concrete vats (60 to 110 hl) – no pressing – use of active dry yeasts adapted to the characteristics of the vintage – vatting period of 3 to 4 weeks – gentle and selective extraction of tannins by pigeage – short pumpovers – pressing with a vertical pneumatic press.
Ageing
12 months in oak barrels of which 1/3 is new wood, 1/3 in barrels of 1 wine and 1/3 in barrels of 2 wines.
2019 Vintage
Winter was dry and without any significant cold spells. The budburst therefore came early, making us particularly attentive to temperature variations.
In the spring, mild weather alternated with cool, rainy periods. Despite the rather unfavourable weather conditions, with a combination of wind, coolness and rain, the vines nonetheless flowered well.
The very hot summer, with temperatures regularly above normal (for example 40°on July 23rd and 24th), fortunately saw some rainfall, thus avoiding water stress.
September concluded the annual cycle with warm, dry, and sunny weather. The harvest went smoothly and was spread out over time.
