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Château Marsau 2016
Francs Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
View awards
- 93pts, James Suckling, 2017
From the Right Bank's stellar rising Côtes de Francs, this is a gorgeous, dense, all Merlot claret. Owned by Bordeaux négociant president, Chadronnier, it's in experienced hands. Meticulous winemaking is apparent in this fine, ripe and ample 2016.
From the Right Bank's stellar rising Côtes de Francs, this is a gorgeous, dense, all Merlot claret. Owned by Bordeaux négociant president, Chadronnier, it's in experienced hands. Meticulous winemaking is apparent in this fine, ripe and ample 2016.
Beyond the Label
Tasting notes
Generous, deep black fruit, chocolate and exotic spice, oaky length
Aroma
Ripe blackberry, black cherry and dark chocolate, oak notes
In the early 1990s, the Chadronnier family, one of the biggest names in Bordeaux, saw the huge potential of the overlooked Côtes de Francs. It's the smallest appellation of the Bordeaux Côtes, with just 490 hectares of vines, mostly red. Its soils are clay and limestone, over the limestone plateau. A few vineyards have a very similar slope and elevation to fine Saint Emilion, to the east. No wonder there's been excitement growing. Château Marsau's 12 hectare plot lies close to the top of the slope, northeast of the village of Francs. All Merlot, this full bodied, generous, fruit laden claret is aged a year in oak, 30% new. A serious wine yet with immediate appeal, Suckling called this "probably the best ever". Decant for best results.
Critic
