Haut Marbuzet's style of Saint-Estèphe is more generous and voluptuous, meaning they can be enjoyed now, along with the proper tannic structure means it will also cellar well. Ripe and exotically aromatic, this will drink beautifully for several years to come.
Production
The vineyard is located on the sunny, gravelly ridge of Marbuzet, which is naturally well draining and which contains clay and iron in the sub-soil, giving an individual character to the wine. The vines are pretty densely planted at almost 9,000 vines per hectare, forcing the vines to send roots deep into the soil to overcome the competition for water and nutrients. This serves to naturally reduce yields and increase the concentration and complexity of the grapes' flavours. Haut-Marbuzet is only made with grapes from vines over 12 years old. The grapes are fermented with natural yeasts in a mix of glazed concrete and large wooden vats before ageing in 100% new barriques for 18-24 months, depending on the vintage. Henri Duboscq believes the scent and unctuousness of the new oak adds to the natural richness of the wine and helps to soften 'Macho Médoc'.
Château Haut-Marbuzet, Saint-Estèphe 2019 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
Classic old-school Bordeaux: autumnal, oaky aromas with black cherries and smoky coffee. Toasty, new, French oak is supported by a backbone of ripe dark fruit and a proper tannic structure. Still youthful and voluptuous, the underlying style of Saint-Estèphe when made by Haut-Marbuzet is clearly evident.
Food match
Strongly-flavoured dishes match perfectly; beef or lamb stews come to mind but vegetable dishes in rich sauces would also be good, and perhaps a classic Toulouse or duck cassoulet.
Info
-
ABV
13.5%
-
CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
-
REGION/COUNTRY
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
-
GRAPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 50%, MERLOT 40%, CABERNET FRANC 10%
-
CLOSURE
CORK
-
WINEMAKER
HENRI DUBOSCQ
-
APPELLATION
SAINT-ESTÈPHE
-
ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
-
Meet the producer
In 1952, Hervé Duboscq, whose family were from Gascony, had the foresight to purchase the 7 hectare Haut-Marbuzet plot in Saint-Estèphe from the MacCarthy family, one of the famous Irish ‘Wild Geese’ families who had settled in Bordeaux in the 17th century. Although located between Châteaux Cos d’Estournel and Montrose, the quality of this unique terroir was not appreciated during the post war period and Hervé gradually bought all of the MacCarthy family's other vineyard plots, eventually building up a 76 hectare estate.
This was passed on to his son, Henri, who firmly established the wine’s pedigree and reputation. The estate is now run by his sons, Hugues and Bruno. From the outset the Duboscqs developed their own style, less muscular and more approachable than the firmer structured wines of other Saint-Estèphe estates.
Classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003, Haut-Marbuzet sits very comfortably alongside its more illustrious classed growth neighbours.
){kind=link}