Chateau de Malle Sauternes Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau de Malle Sauternes, Deuxiemes Crus with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairings, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking and terroir. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de Malle History, Overview

Chateau de Malle, located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, took its name from the former owner, Jacques de Malle. Jacques de Malle founded the estate and built the original, stunning, chateau in around 1650.

Chateau de Malle continues to remain in the hands of the de Malle family today. While there are other families that have managed to keep their estates in family hands by passing it down from generation to generation, today, it is much less common.

Chateau de Malle is close to setting a record for longevity in that department. Interestingly, for a time in the early 18th century, through marriage, the estate was part of the vast Sauternes empire controlled by the Lur Saluces family who owned Chateau d’Yquem.

Chateau de Malle lapsed into mediocrity for several decades until Pierre de Bournazel, a relative of the Lur Saluces family took over the estate. Pierre de Bournazel revitalized Chateau de Malle, replanted the vineyards, renovated the chateau and its entire wine-making facilities and cellars. The de Bournazel family managed Chateau de Malle until 2024.

In April, Chateau de Malle was sold to Luc Planty, the son of Xavier Planty, one of the owners of Chateau Guiraud. At the time of the purchase, de Malle had ceased production following the 2018 vintage. The entire estate needs work. The vineyards were in desperate of extensive replanting. Most of the structures were in need of work including renovations of the chateau, along with most of of the wine making facilities.

Chateau de Malle Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 28-hectare vineyard Chateau de Malle is planted to 88% Semillon, Sauvignon 8%, 4% Muscadelle, which shows a change in the vineyards with more Semillon and less Sauvignon Blanc. They have a terroir of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone soil.

In total, the property consists of 50 hectares of land, with a total of 28 hectares under vine. The remainder of their estate is taken up with beautiful parkland surroundings and a reflecting lake behind the chateau. It is one of the most picturesque estates in the appellation. The vines are on average 35 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare.

To produce the wine of Chateau de Malle, each grape varietal is vinified separately at Chateau de Malle. Vinification takes place in a combination of 100% new, French oak barrels and one-year-old, French oak barrels.

The wine of de Malle is aged in 30% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, depending on the vintage. There is a second wine, Sainte Helene du Chateau de Malle. The average production of Chateau de Malle is about 3,500 cases of Sauternes wine per year.

The best vintages of Chateau de Malle are: 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2005.

Chateau de Malle also owns vines located just outside the region of Sauternes in the Graves appellation, where red and white grape varieties are planted. From Graves, the dry white Bordeaux wine is sold as M. de Malle Blanc and the red wine is produced under the name of Chateau de Cardaillan.

When to Drink Chateau de Malle, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau de Malle can be enjoyed on the young side with no decanting. In fact, it is delicious and quite a treat young, even on release! However, like all great wines, Chateau de Malle is much better with age and does not reach full maturity until it’s at least 10-15 years of age, or in some years, perhaps even longer in the best vintages!

That is when the magic happens! But that is unrealistic for 99% of the world’s wine drinkers. So, enjoy it on any special occasion that calls for it.

Serving Chateau de Malle with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau de Malle is best served at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine will naturally warm in the glass, while it develops more aromatic complexities and fleshes out.

Chateau de Malle can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty and savory characteristics. Chateau de Malle can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness.

Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau de Malle.

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