ASSIGNMENT IN MARGAUX, BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Malescot Saint Exupery.
Located in the charming village of Margaux in Bordeaux, the Zuger family has been honing their unique style of Grand Cru Bordeaux wine since 1955. As a smaller producer in the region, they meticulously craft their exceptional wines from approximately 30 hectares of vines.
Jean-Luc Zuger.
Entente Cordiale.
Upon arrival, I received a warm welcome from Jean-Luc Zuger and his daughter Lea, who showed me around the operation. The cellars and vinification buildings are adjacent to the Chateau, and during the week I visited they were in the middle of bottling - under the watchful eye of Marie Khan-Chaballier, the cellar master. Lea then drove us around the bumpy vineyards, where we met their team of viticulturists who were hard at work in the summer sunshine.
I spent hours in the ancient cellars, vampire-like, where the temperature was around 15 degrees, and just a glimmer of light came through the mullioned windows. This was contrasted by early morning visits to the large open expanses of vineyards, with fantastic views across the appellation under the warming sun.
Of all the areas of left-bank Bordeaux, Margaux is my favourite appellation. Having enjoyed several of the Malescot vintages at home in the UK, photographing and filming with them was a dream come true. I also enjoyed tasting their 2014 vintage while I was there, which was excellent, and I'm sure it tasted even better for drinking it just a short stone's throw away from the vines and terroir from which it originates.
In memory of Manuel Navarro Garcia.
Shortly after returning home to the UK, the Chateau informed me that Manuel Navarro Garcia, who had worked with Malescot for over ten years and was a loved and respected member of the team, had passed away. This short video is a little tribute to Manuel.
Malescot is blended from four grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. During the harvest, grapes are hand-picked, and the wines are made with as few additional ingredients as possible. They are aged in oak barrels, 70% of which are new. The wine is unyeasted, unfined, and unfiltered.
The above video compiles views and scenes from around the Margaux region and features the Malescot team tending the vines.
Showing the team some of the images taken from the previous day.
The Malescot Vineyards.
The Zuger family have kept back bottles of each vintage since 1955. Particualrly good vintages are their 1961 and 1985.
The Malescot Cellars.
The wine is aged in oak barrels, 70% are new. Malescot is blended from four grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.