That might be a good new slogan for Chateau Malescot St. Exupery, a wine so good it helped turn a robbery last week into a group hug.

A group of friends in Washington, D.C., were enjoying steaks, jumbo shrimp, fine cheeses, and a bottle of the Chateau Malescot, when a man wearing a hood burst in. Pointing a gun at the head of a guest, he said “Give me your money, or I’ll start shooting.”  Up to this point, the robbery was proceeding in the traditional manner, but then guest Christina Rowan said, “We were just finishing dinner. Why don’t you have a glass of wine with us?”

Amazingly, he agreed, and sampled the Chateau Malescot St-Exupery.  “Damn, that’s good wine,” he said. After a little more wine, and some Camembert, he had changed his mind.  “I think I may have come to the wrong house,” he said, putting his gun away.  “I’m sorry. Can I get a hug?”

Each guest gave the robber a hug. He had another sip of wine. He evidently felt it had proven to be a wonderful evening of camaraderie, apart from the whole gun-to-the-head thing, generally considered a faux pas.  Before he left his new friends, he asked to bond with them once again: “Can we have a group hug?” he asked.  Hugs obtained, he fled.  The police later found the wine glass, unbroken, in an alley near the home.

Perhaps this outcome is explained by the power of the carefully chosen wine-cheese pairing, something  that should not be underestimated, but I think the Chateau Malescot alone was responsible.  The Malescot (full name: Chateau Malescot St. Exupery Grand Cru Classe en 1855, Margaux), is made from grapes grown near Margaux village in France, in vineyards surrounding a chateau sold in 1697 to Simon Malescot, Esquire, Counsel to Louis XIV.  The chateau was purchased in the 19th century by Count Jean-Baptiste Saint-Exupery, great-grandfather of the writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery, at which time the famous name was added.  The Malescot (assuming it was the 2000) is a powerful and harmonious blended cabernet with fine crimson tints and the flavors of ripe fruit, mocha, and vanilla; its grapes harvested during rainy fall weather and carefully chosen for their calming effect on the American felon.  Wait, I’ve thought of a better slogan:

Chateau Malescot St. Exupery: Damn, That’s Good Wine.

I’ve contacted the fine people at the Chateau Malescot to suggest that they adopt this slogan in recognition of this incident and in honor of the life-saving abilities of their heroic wine.  I expect to hear back from them shortly.

Link: Washington Post
Link: Chateau Malescot Saint-Exupery