2011 Clos Marsalette

The Graves face of the famous Comtes de Neipperg, the beautiful, deep plum/ruby-colored 2011 Clos Marsalette boasts exotic, rich, black cherry, incense, Asian spice, licorice, Christmas fruitcake and baking spice-like notes. There is not a hard edge to be found in this opulent, fleshy, complex, rich Pessac-Leognan. A big-time sleeper of the vintage, this medium-bodied, exuberant wine can be drunk over the next 10-15 years. Neipperg and his team hit a home run with Clos Marsalette in 2011.

20% Semillon, 80% Sauvignon Blanc. Tight and zesty and fine grained, plenty in the middle but a bit short. Lots of citrus and a little grassy but rich and creamy too. (JH)

A balanced wine with blueberry and minerals. A little lean but pretty fruit. Fine tannins. This is very bright. jamessuckling.com