M DE MALLE 2005

Description & Press Reviews:
M de Malle is a dry White Graves wine originating in the Graves appellation vineyards of the Sauternes Second Growth Château de Malle, owned by the Comtes de Bournazel who have 400 years of wine making experience.  Château de Malle was built at the beginning of the17th century and is a classified historic monument and is surrounded by magnificent Italian style gardens. It has remained in the same family without ever changing hands. The Château was built by Jacques de Malle, a descendant of an old Preignac family and President of the Parliament of Bordeaux. The family are related to the de Lur-Saluces, one time owners of the famous Sauternes First Growth Château d’Yquem. De Malle is one of the oldest estates in Sauternes - early records suggest that the grapes were grown there are already in the 1400's, and that the wine at this time was dry and white rather than the sweet style that Sauternes later evolved into. 

This wine is difficult to find because only 7,000 bottles are produced from the 7 acres of Graves vineyard that grows grapes for M de Malle which lie to the east of Preignac, in the small commune of  Toulenne.  The sandy and gravelly clay soil is perfectly suited to the making of great dry white wine. This really is a beautiful wine: bold, brilliant green tinted gold with hints of white blossoms, passion fruit, quince, spice and a good burst of lemon acidity.

M de Malle is ideal with chicken, duck, pork, feathered game such as guinea fowl and pheasant, salmon, seafood, creamy pasta dishes and soft cheeses.

Hachette des Vins 2007:  Coup de Coeur - the highest accolade achieveable!




Andrew Barrow - Spittoon:
A touch of class here - from the blossom and wax aroma through to the 'tinged with the exotic' palate. A combination of softness, a gentle rounded mouthfeel with a complex wax and citrus burst on the finish. Dry. That citric burst finality comes complete with a hint of herb and a gravelly texture.

The wax references are courtesy of the Semillon component in the wine, the addition of which also tempers the forcefulness of the majority Sauvignon adding a touch of richness along the way.

Is there also a hint of tarragon in the wine or is that just the mouth-watering aromas eminating from the kitchen? For Bordeaux Undiscovered recommend M de Malle Graves with chicken in a Tarragon Sauce to accompany. Rather than frying chicken breasts a hole poisson, stuffed with fresh tarragon was roasted and served with a sauce of chicken stock, roasting juices and Dijon mustard. A delicious match.

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