2023 Château La Marzelle

Plenty of crunchy blackberry fruit with salt and chocolate. Medium body with an attractive center-palate and a juicy finish. I like the salty note at the end. (05/2024)

The 2023 Château La Marzelle is mostly Merlot yet includes 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which will spend 16 months in a mix of new barrels and amphora. Ripe aromatics of plums, cassis, candied violets, and flowery incense, as well as ample spicy oak, all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, lush, opulent mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a good finish. It's rock solid, and this beauty has plenty of like. I think it will drink well in its youth, yet there's enough structure to allow it to evolve gracefully as well. Tasted multiple times with consistent results. (05/2024)

The 2023 La Marzelle is deep garnet-purple in color. Broody cedar and tar notes soon open out to reveal a compelling core of plum preserves, Morello cherries, and pencil shavings with a touch of bay leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock full of juicy black fruits with a velvety texture and lovely freshness, finishing earthy. This is impressive! (05/2024)