Chateau Marsau 2012

Merlot from Cotes de Francs, Bordeaux, France

92 Wine
Enthusiast
90 James
Suckling

3.7 Very Good (22)

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Product Details

Varietal

Merlot

Region

Cotes de Francs, Bordeaux, France

Producer

Chateau Marsau

Vintage

2012

Size

750ML

Your Rating

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Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

Deep, rich color. A nose of black fruit, menthol, evolving into mineral notes when aired (pencil lead, chalk). An elegant palate, voluptuous, supple, silky tannins.

Professional Ratings

92 Wine Enthusiast
This special selection, tight-cropped from 30 acres of 100% Merlot, is ripe and rich. This is a smoky and fruity wine, in barrel for 14 months. It has ripe black fruits and rich, dense structure. Spice and toast balance the fruit, giving an impressive sense of generosity. Drink from 2017.
90 James Suckling
The leaf, mushroom and fruit character is very pretty in this wine. Medium body, fine tannins and a delicious finish. Pure merlot. Open and attractive.

Other Vintages

2022

94 Robert
Parker
94 Decanter

2021

93 James
Suckling
91 Robert
Parker
91 Decanter

2020

94 James
Suckling
93 Decanter
93 Robert
Parker

2019

95 James
Suckling
92 Robert
Parker
90 Wine
Spectator

2018

94 James
Suckling
91 Robert
Parker

2017

93 James
Suckling
90 Wine
Spectator

2016

94 James
Suckling
91 Wine
Spectator
90 Wine
Enthusiast

2015

93 James
Suckling
93 Decanter
90 Wine
Spectator
90 Robert
Parker

2011

91 James
Suckling

2010

92 James
Suckling

Chateau Marsau

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Just a few kilometres east of Saint Emilion, in the historical village of Francs, the Chateau Marsau vines command one of the highest reaches of the Côtes de Bordeaux-Francs appellation. Here, in this prized location covering just a few hectares, on gentle, southfacing slopes, the Marsau vines penetrate deep into the red and grey clay soils, guaranteeing a constant supply of water to the vineyard. Merlot, which has become a symbol of the right bank, is the only grape variety cultivated on these quite remarkable clay soils. The vines are rigorously selected for their suitability to the terroir and their ability to cope with restricted yields, which promote even grape ripening in optimum growing conditions.

At Marsau, given the relatively modest size of the vineyard, meticulous and painstaking vineyard management is carried out throughout the growing period, tailored specifically to each vine. Winemaking techniques are applied selectively, tailored to each individual vineyard block and take into consideration the specific nature of the vintage. The objective is to harness the natural concentration of the fruit, and in so doing, reveal the most expressive and distinctive character of the terroir and grape variety. The wines are aged in French oak barrels in separate batches, to retain the individual identity of each parcel.

Merlot

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With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Cotes de Francs Wine

Bordeaux, France

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On the right bank of Bordeaux between St. Emilion and Bergerac, Cotes de Francs boasts southwestern exposed slopes that produce robust Merlot-based wines. A tiny amount of Sémillon is grown and made in both dry and sweet styles.

CVB173846_2012 Item# 173846