“Moulis-en-Médoc produces wines of character, combining power and finesse, and offering excellent value for money.” – Decanter
Château Maucaillou is a wine estate located in the Médoc region of France. It sits in the commune of Moulis-en-Médoc, in the Gironde département. The estate has a long history going back to the 17th century.
The property makes its wines from classic Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The estate covers around 90 hectares, of which 75 are planted with vines. The vines benefit from a quality terroir, with soils of gravel, clay and limestone. The harvest is picked by hand, which allows for rigorous selection of the grapes.
The château itself is a magnificent building, typical of Bordeaux architecture. It’s surrounded by gardens and vines, offering a picturesque and peaceful setting; personally, I love crossing the railway line and strolling in front of the gardens.
I’ll point you to the website if the history of this building interests you: https://www.maucaillou.com/maucaillou/le-chateau-maucaillou/
What sets this château apart is its museum and its cellar tour — few estates in the Médoc offer this kind of experience. You can wander around and enjoy the wine with the guide’s advice, for just a few euros. You can normally turn up without booking, but a quick phone call the day before is advisable.
I’m usually very critical of “second” wines. I’ve often been disappointed: you get the impression the big brother is so imposing that it commandeers the best vines and takes all the cellar team’s attention. What’s more, in the past the Maucaillou estate spread itself rather thin, creating a large number of wines that weren’t always successful.
With this No. 2, Château Maucaillou has made a wine that has forged its own identity. It’s very different from its elder, naturally, but it must be pampered by its parents. You notice a strength, a care in its design — it’s impossible not to feel that great quality.
Its robe is intense, a lovely ruby at the surface.
Its nose is marked by wood and spice; powerful, with the wood clearly standing out. On the palate it’s round, and the aromas of wood, blackcurrant and vanilla are in subtle balance — it’s really very pleasant. The tannins are powerful, granted, but everything fits together perfectly. Even the length is a pleasure. For me, this 2019 is already ready to drink, but it can stay a few more years in your cellar.
At under €15, this wine offers value for money that’s almost impossible to find in the Médoc at that price! No need to hesitate — it deserves a place in your cellar.
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