2021 Marsau

The 2021 Marsau has a fleshy but slightly diffuse nose with earthy red fruit, leather and light meat juice scents. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, hollow in the middle with an austere finish.

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.

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.