2014 Chateau de Malleret Cru Bourgeois Haut-Medoc 750 ml

Two years ago, the 2015 Château de Malleret Haut-Médoc became our top rated under-$25 Bordeaux in the history of Wine Access, racking up a 4.42-point rating from our members. 

We knew better than to bank on a repeat score. But on our last trip to Bordeaux, we had a chance to taste some 2014 Malleret, straight from the château cellars.

Before our glass was empty, we’d committed to as much as the château would part with. 

Comprising 66% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the ruby-colored 2014 Malleret boasts rich, sophisticated aromas of freshly-melted dark chocolate, black cherries, graphite, leather, toast, roasted strawberry, preserved purple flowers, and exotic spices. It’s smooth and expertly interwoven on the palate, thanks to its bottle age.

We first discovered Malleret when it blew us away at a tasting of over 60 bottles, many of which were much more expensive. The château has been on our radar ever since, and tasting their decade-aged 2014 made claiming a pallet-load of cases a no-brainer. After a long stretch in the cellar, this is the kind of red wine that all sophisticated wine lovers should have at the ready for weeknight enjoyment. The mellow 13.5% ABV makes it the perfect choice for dinner, or just unwinding after work. 

In both geography and in spirit, this bottle marries the power of the Médoc with what Jancis Robinson calls the “aristocratic, mineral-scented” wines of Graves, which sits to Malleret’s immediate south. It’s a classic, rich, perfectly aged Left Bank red—and at a cellar-stocking price, this vintage is irresistible. Make sure you don’t miss out.