Château Haut-Marbuzet 2016

An exuberant St.-Estèphe with a ton of fresh blackberries and blueberries, but also some smoke and terracotta on the nose. Very nice balance of fruit and a fairly full body, then the tannins come through on the bold finish. Better in 2022.

Tasted blind. Sweet and a bit simple and sharp. Hard, green finish. (JR)

The 2016 Haut-Marbuzet is attractive, but also a bit straightforward relative to what it can be. There is good depth to the racy cherry and blood orange flavors, even if the tannins remain on the gritty side. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years.

Smoky, espresso, red plum, cedar and tobacco notes on the nose are paired with a round, forward, sweet, and toasted palate. Early-drinking with an open character, this should evolve for 15–20 years with ease.

Dark ruby, opaque core, discreet brightening on the rim, floral notes in the background with black berry fruit, fresh orange zest, blackberries and cherries to the fore. Juicy, black cherries, taut, well-integrated tannins, good freshness, fine nougat on the finish, very good length, undoubtedly a wine for ageing.

Dark ruby in colour, this has a luxurious texture, plenty of character with smoke-blackened plum, tobacco, liquorice root, edges of sour cherry on the finish; enjoyable, classic, packed with personality. You can just about drink it now, but there’s no rush, and it will hold for decades. An impressive wine from owner Henri Duboscq, from a well-located 66ha vineyard that is roughly half pure gravel, half clay-gravel. Long maceration, old-school winemaking coupled with 100% new oak.

Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2016 Haut-Marbuzet strolls out with ready-to-go notes of crushed redcurrants, kirsch, and black raspberries, plus wafts of fallen leaves and pencil lead. The light to medium-bodied palate is tightly knit with appealing freshness and chewy tannins, finishing on a mineral note.

Deep color, magnificent body, remarkable oak integration, with tannins more elegant and better integrated than in 2010—impressive!

Very classic and very classy, with the velvety texture of the cru.

Medium garnet red. A very appealing, inviting bouquet with refreshing, fruity notes and scents of red berries. I also detect pleasant notes of licorice wood along with a hint of caramel. Beyond being charming, the nose is complex! On the palate, the wine is fresh, juicy and delectable. Its tannins are compact and well-integrated. The structure lends breed to the palate and carries the fruit through to the finish. A wine that is coming into its own and can be enjoyed in its youth without overlooking its aging potential.

The nose is elegant, fine, racy, offering subtle complexity and harmony. It reveals notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and, more lightly, fleshy wild raspberry, combined with delicate hints of violet, rose, zan, as well as discreet touches of Sichuan pepper and spices. The palate is fruity, balanced, beautifully racy and silky, with juiciness, good definition, lovely finesse, solid structure, harmony and delicacy. On the palate, this wine shows notes of blackberry and wild raspberry, and, more lightly, crushed strawberry and cherry, alongside small touches of blueberry, violet, zan, discreet hints of spice and very discreet notes of coffee (in the background). The tannins are well-handled and elegant.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. A moderately aromatic nose with ripe, subtle fruit. A tender and above all delightful palate that gives ample space to the expression of aromas. The power is moderate, but the charm is irresistible. Very long finish.

Arguably too soft for the vintage and for a St-Estèphe, but I like the elegance and finesse as the tannins are refined. Even if the nose lacks exuberance, the acidity accentuates freshness. In terms of the price-to-quality ratio, not the most competitive.

This estate, owned by the Duboscq family, is a leading light in the appellation, as this wine's rich tannins demonstrate. Balanced with serious fruit and good concentration, the wine is dense and full bodied while also stylish. Drink from 2024.