Château Haut-Marbuzet 2022

The nose is airy and fruity, with tangy yet ripe fruit (sour cherry, bigarreau cherry, wild strawberry, crushed raspberry, crushed blackcurrant and a hint of blackcurrant jam). There is also a mentholated note—peppermint, even blackcurrant bud—refreshing and elegant (after aeration), lifted by liquorice, star anise and cardamom, with a touch of cedar and pine sap in the background. It is then completed by the tanginess of cocoa nibs and bitter chocolate with a moreish hint of toasted hazelnut, a subtle undertone of toasted oak, vanilla and violet, as well as smoky (meaty) notes and graphite. The palate is solid, yet with a fairly fine grain to its tannic structure. It expresses flavours of sour cherry, bigarreau cherry, wild strawberry, crushed raspberry and crushed blackcurrant, complemented by a pleasant bitterness of bird cherry and black plum skin. The sappy character (pine needles, pine sap), spicy notes (liquorice, star anise, vanilla) and toasty nuances (toasted oak and hazelnut) also come through. The acidity is mouth-watering, very fresh and enjoyable. Good persistence: a precise, slender wine, with accuracy, straightness and a tangy backbone.

The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet is a wine of depth and character. Lifted floral overtones meld into herbs, mint, blood orange and red-toned fruit. There's gorgeous freshness to match the wine's personality. Nervy tannins give this a good bit of energy. In 2022, Haut-Marbuzet is quite understated and yet so expressive. It's a fine Saint-Estèphe that will reward cellaring.

Espresso, flowers, incense, and black with red fruits pop on the nose. The palate matches the perfume with luscious, creamy-textured fruit that glides across the palate, leaving loads of sweet, ripe, lush, polished cherries. It is nice to see a return to a high level of quality for this estate. Drink from 2027-2045.

Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Fine red cherries, plums, some nougat and orange zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy, freshly structured, ripe cherries, mineral and well lasting. Certain ageing potential.

Old school, enjoyable, powerful, never trying too hard but with plenty of confidence in the construction. Focus on cold ash, sandalwood, cocoa bean, espresso, cassis. A lovely wine.

Flamboyant, floral and sweet on the nose. On the palate, a captivating sweet-savoury balance carried by dazzling freshness, leading to a saline finish.

The bouquet of Haut-Marbuzet unfolds with serenity and poise. It promises power without overdoing it. On the contrary, it reveals a wealth of detail, marrying ripeness and freshness with, for example, notes of plum, blackberry and licorice, complemented by cocoa beans, then a few mineral nuances (chalk, graphite). A dense attack paves the way for a conquering wine that shines through its ability to be powerful yet subtle, with suave, compact tannins, while an acidity that is both structuring and juicy ensures freshness. An exceptional wine that should be left to rest in the cellar for a while!

Logo on the cork: A in a circle (Amorim) Deep, dark color. Intense nose with fresh, ripe fruit. Delicious on the palate, with a fine texture that caresses the palate and develops into a velvety mouthfeel, with subtle aromas and a fine-grained tannic texture lingering on the finish. It’s very good and hard to spit out. The best recent vintage I know. Can be opened young!

An initial complex nose full of delicate small fruits: raspberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant… with a fresh note reminiscent of a sprig of tarragon. A soft, fresh, elegant attack reveals a palate with abundant, fine, grainy tannins. A sun-drenched vintage tamed to last.

93-95 Barrel sample. This star estate is showing well in this vintage. Structure and tannins have a firm place in the wine's juicy richness. It's a wine for long-term aging.

Tasted blind. Quite intense blackcurrant. Bit too oaky and tannic. (JR)