Château Marsau 2021

High-pitched, with damson plum and potpourri notes on a light-bodied frame, ending with a hint of sandalwood. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,500 cases made, 410 cases imported.

Sleek but with a slight chew and a sense of texture and weight on the palate. Lots of strawberry and herbal edges—dried herbs, mint, green peppercorns, liquorice, fennel and cocoa powder. This has character and personality and keeps the interest and liveliness from start to finish. Licks of minerality come through on the finish, ending with a salty, almost iodine tang. Nicely constructed without overdoing it.

The 2021 Marsau has a fleshy but slightly diffuse nose with earthy red fruit, leather and light meat juice scents. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, hollow in the middle with an austere finish.

(Organic, 100% Merlot) Fresh, silky, elegant, finely structured bouquet with blackcurrant, strawberry, mint and fine herbs. Finely fruity, fresh, elegant palate with delicately creamy fruit, good tannins, a subtly muscular structure, diverse aromatics and a long, fresh finish. 17/20 2027 - 2045

In theory, an organic wine from 100% Merlot should not do well in 2021, and yet this has an enticing ruby colour with violet reflections and is delicate and nuanced without being austere or diluted. Definitely a success, with raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a mouthwatering finish. Unlike most of the Francs appellation, the 12ha Marsau vineyard is made up of clay-gravel soils rather than limestone, giving a different, more powerful flavour profile, and after losing 80% of the crop to frost in 2018 they rethought their growing method, now going for no-till with cover crops all year. This has helped keep soil temperatures manageable in the hot years, and increased competition this year allowed water stress to develop by the end of August — a few weeks later than normal, but still having an impact on flavour concentration. Harvest from 28 September to 6 October, vinified with no added sulphur, natural yeasts, pH 3.6.

The 2021 Marsau is 100% Merlot and it has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It offers up subtle notes of stewed plums and cherries, followed by hints of wild sage, iron ore, and mossy stones. The medium-bodied palate gives a good core of expressive black fruits, with a lightly chewy texture and a savory finish.

A nose that sparkles and captivates, as if watching the flames of a fire, both deep and surprisingly fresh. Freshness also on the palate, with aromas of blue fruits—sweet, juicy, melt-in-the-mouth—and a feather-light, caressing texture. A delight, with a dark chocolate finish.

Subtle in the way it reveals itself, Château Marsau shows notes of truffle, tomato leaf and pepper, complemented by a touch of redcurrant. With good density, the wine features velvety, perfectly integrated tannins that deliver breadth and power. A sapid, indulgent wine, ideally supported by a structure that energizes the finish and extends the length.

Full bottle 1,246 g. Certified organic (Ecocert). A palate scrub of black elderberry fruit and blackcurrant leaf. Dark olive skin. Peppery in a dried-shiso kind of way. Chalky tannins, a little drying, a little bitter, a little medicinal, but very much an honest bordeaux. Unpretentious and really approachable. Perfect for a roast-lamb sandwich! (TC)

Paprika, red plums, mineral and a hint of cocoa powder. Medium body with fine, chalky tannins and an elegant, medium-long finish. Linear, fluid and pure. Nicely crafted. Pure merlot. Already very drinkable now.