2022 Marjosse

Ripe cherry aromatics, firm tannins that are holding everything in place, but generous enough to get things revved up and keep focus on the fruit. This is exactly what you look for in a smaller chateaux in a vintage like 2022 - it's easy to drink with plenty of personality. 20% barrels for ageing, the rest in vat. Frost at the beginning of April, reduced the quantity and meant they focused a little more on Merlot this year, but there is still black pepper and spiced violet notes from the old Malbec. Jean-Marc Domme winemaker since March 2018, Pierre Lurton owner. A value buy.

The white rendition of the 2022 Marjosse blanc shows a delicate, floral bouquet with aromas of lemon, spring flowers and fresh herbs, it’s medium-bodied, textured and elegant with a juicy core of fruit and a delicate, fresh finish. It could see its third anniversary in fine form.

The 2022 Marjosse is a blend of 75% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. Owner Pierre Lurton commented, “We have a lot of chalk and clay at Marjosse, so we never have a problem with freshness. We recently bought a small plot of Cabernet Franc, which did very well. It was a long harvest starting on 5th September and ending at the beginning of October. We had to go very light on the extraction and we couldn't use any of the press juice because it was too powerful.” The wine has a deep garnet-purple color and shoots from the glass with energetic notes of fresh, juicy blackberries, warm plums, and kirsch, followed by hints of cardamom, dusty soil, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with bright, expressive black fruits, supported by a lively backbone and plush, velvety tannins, finishing long, with a spicy lift. Well placed to succeed in these hot, dry vintages and with a good proportion of very old vines, which tend to handle these climatic conditions very well, this is likely to be one of the best bargains of the vintage.