Château Haut-Marbuzet 2021

The 2021 Haut-Marbuzet has turned out nicely, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cigar wrapper and vanilla pod, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy palate that's suave and layered, with a succulent core of fruit framed by powdery tannins. It will offer a broad, charming drinking window.

Ripe and perfumed on the nose. Green peppercorns, aniseed, blackcurrant leaf, vanilla and cinnamon. High acidity, then quite austere tannins that are fairly raw, coupled with heavy oak treatment that is still present on the palate. Extraction was perhaps a little too much here. Fleshy blackcurrant and black cherry fruit flavours, then it turns quite stern and serious. Might it just need more time for the oak to wear off?

Red currants, iron, white pepper and orange zest dotted with fine sweet spices and a touch of chili chocolate. Tight and fine-grained on the palate with medium to full body and a tight, juicy finish. Lovely tannin integrity and minerality extend to a lengthy, compact finish. An excellent St.-Estephe from this vintage that outperforms many. Drinkable now, but better from 2026.

Tasted blind. Shaded crimson. Oaky, extracted cassis-liqueur nose, which some will like. Very flashy! But a bit drying on the end. (JR)

Espresso, peppery red fruits, smoke, licorice, and spice aromatics pop on the nose. The palate is polished, round, medium-bodied, fruity and forward, with an espresso-tinged accent that comes along with the cherries and currants on the finish. This is going to be easy to enjoy on release and over the next decade or a bit longer. Drink from 2025–2037.

Deep ruby garnet with purple glints, slightly lighter at the rim. Subtle floral nuances underpinned by cherries, red-berry tones and a mineral touch. Juicy, ripe red-berry fruit, integrated savoury wood, chocolaty and persistent, showing length and substance. Possesses potential for development.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: fresh, sweet bouquet, cherries, fine woods, roasted notes, red licorice. Medium-bodied, aromatic palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, well-muscled structure, powerful aromatics, fresh, slightly dry finish.

Fresh, sweet bouquet of cherries, fine woods, roasted notes, red licorice. Medium-bodied, aromatic palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, well-muscled structure, powerful aromas, fresh, slightly dry finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Savoury and low in alcohol, very much old-school in character, with estate signature. Sappy, enjoyably fresh even if there are undeniable bell pepper and raspberry leaf notes, warmed up with grilled oak and clove, aniseed and fennel spice. 45 hl/ha yield. Harvest from September 24 to October 13. Famille Dubosq. Tasted twice, one point upscore.

The 2021 Haut-Marbuzet is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of Bing cherries, mulberries, and cassis waft from the glass, followed by touches of bay leaves and charcoal. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm, chewy texture and well-knit freshness matching the black and red fruits, finishing a little rugged.

True to itself, Haut-Marbuzet has crafted a charming 2021, a silky wine with a caressing texture and very mellow tannins. The Merlots bring lovely roundness and the suavity that underpins its success.

Very ripe, with an iodine-tinged, mouthwatering note. Silky on the palate. The texture is both fleshy and delicate. You get aromas of juicy fruit, minerality, and a chalky touch.

What complexity and power in this wine. It plays on many registers, showing itself at times subtle and at times vigorous. The countless aromatic nuances argue for its finesse, including notes of Sichuan pepper, peppermint, blueberries, and graphite. Juicy and with good density, the wine has angular tannins that nonetheless align with the tension of its acidic structure. A wine that is far from revealing all its secrets, yet clearly displaying its ambitions.

Dark, deep color. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Caressing on the attack, soft mid-palate, developing perfumed notes toward a slightly tannic yet wrapped finish. Normal length. Blend: 55% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. IPT: 80. Yield: 45 hl/ha.

The first impression is one of maturity, a blend of blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry. The attack confirms this, but the palate and the finish reveal a very structured wine—straight, firm, intense. The palette is enriched with spices and menthol. While some en primeur wines are perceived as “ready to drink,” this is a classic bottle that will require patience.