Château Marsau 2021
Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France
Regular price£140.33
/
Arriving: May 2025
| Style: Red | Packaging: OCC |
| ABV: 13.5% | Closure: Cork |
| Organic: Yes | Drink from: 2025 |
| Biodynamic: Yes | Drink to: 2032 |
| Grapes: 100% Merlot | |
Critic scores
91 RP, 93 JS, 92 JA, 91 DC, 90+ GM
Critic reviews
"Undoubtedly, the 2021 Marsau has one of the best quality-to-price ratios in Bordeaux. A 100% Merlot, it reveals aromas of blackberries, flowers, spices, blackcurrant and blueberries, followed by an elegant, gourmand and medium-bodied palate enhanced by bright acids and velvety, fine-grained tannins. In the context of the vintage, it’s a real success."
William Kelley, February 2024, RobertParker.com
"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."
James Suckling, February 2024, JamesSuckling.com
"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 wtihout being austere or diluted. Defintely a success, with raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a mouthwatering finish. Unlike most of the Francs appellation, the 12ha Marsau vienyard 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. 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 28 September to October 6, vinified with no added sulphur, natural yeasts, 3.6ph."
Jane Anson, May 2022, JaneAnson.com
"Sleek but with a slight chew and sense of texture and weight to the palate. Lots of strawberry and herbal edges - dried herbs, mint, green peppercorns, liquorice, fennel and cocoa powder. This has character and personality and sustains the interest and sense of liveliness from the start to the finish. Licks of minerality come through on the finish ending with a salty, almost iodine tang. Nicely constructed without overdoing it."
Georgina Hindle, December 2023, Decanter.com
William Kelley, February 2024, RobertParker.com
"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."
James Suckling, February 2024, JamesSuckling.com
"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 wtihout being austere or diluted. Defintely a success, with raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a mouthwatering finish. Unlike most of the Francs appellation, the 12ha Marsau vienyard 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. 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 28 September to October 6, vinified with no added sulphur, natural yeasts, 3.6ph."
Jane Anson, May 2022, JaneAnson.com
"Sleek but with a slight chew and sense of texture and weight to the palate. Lots of strawberry and herbal edges - dried herbs, mint, green peppercorns, liquorice, fennel and cocoa powder. This has character and personality and sustains the interest and sense of liveliness from the start to the finish. Licks of minerality come through on the finish ending with a salty, almost iodine tang. Nicely constructed without overdoing it."
Georgina Hindle, December 2023, Decanter.com
Shipping duty paid to Mainland UK is charged at a flat rate of £9.99 per consignment and POA for Northern Ireland or Islands.
Shipping under bond is dependant on location, but starts at £15 per consignment.