88 2000 Chateau Malescasse Haut-Medoc 4/12/08 ($20)
12.5% alc
Color:Deep garnet, close to peak (3.0) Bouquet: Blackberry, gray ashes, smoke and cassis with excellent acidity and a little tannin. (3.0) Body: Middleweight with good fruit and excellent chalky acidity. Coats the mouth a little. (2.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but more reserved. (2.5) Finish: Bigger and richer than the flavor, with herbal nuances lingering. (3.0)
Overall: Very good. Could be bigger and more classy, but admirable for an inexpensive Bourgeois Chateau. It's ready to go, more or less, but could improve in the next year or so. (14.0)