Maucaillou 1998

Château Maucaillou is a left-bank Bordeaux estate in the Médoc. It is located in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, which lies between the more famous Margaux and Saint-Julien areas. Maucaillou exclusively makes red blends from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Maucaillou’s Moulis vineyard is claimed to be the oldest in the Médoc, with records of title and ownership dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The property’s commercial history dates back to 1871, when the cellars were constructed by the négociant family Petit-Laroche, and the château was built four years later. The estate expanded after its sale in 1929 to the Dourthe family. They took the land under vine from just over 2 hectares (5 acres) to 32ha (79 acres) by the 1980s, and 62ha (153 acres) today.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up more than 90 percent of the vineyards, with the rest given to Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Malolactic fermentation takes place immediately after the alcoholic fermentation while the wine is still in steel tanks. The wines are then aged in French oak barriques for 18-20 months. Between half and three quarters of the barrels are replaced with new oak each vintage. Production averages 36,000 cases annually between the grand vin and the second wine, No. 2 de Maucaillou.

The additional wines Château Duplessis Fabre, Château Cap de Haut Maucaillou, Château Maucaillou Felletin and Le Haut-Médoc Maucaillou are also vinified at the winery.