Château MAUCAILLOU 1996 Château Maucaillou is located in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation (between the more famous Margaux and Saint-Julien), in Bordeaux. 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 to 32 hectares by the 1980s, and 62 hectares today. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up more than 90% of the vineyards, with the rest given to Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Château Maucaillou is made in a traditional way, with the classic Bordeaux blend grape varieties. 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 to 20 months. Between ½ and ¾ of the barrels are replaced with new oak each vintage.