Marsau - Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux 2015

The Wine Independent

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe9/14/2022

Made from 100% Merlot, the 2015 Marsau is medium to deep garnet in color. It bounds out of the glass with exuberant notes of juicy black plums, blackberry preserves, and raspberry coulis, plus suggestions of cinnamon stick, sandalwood, and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with impactful black and red berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Vinous

87

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

The 2015 Marsau is bold and luscious in the glass, with copious jammy red fruit and tons of richness. I would prefer to drink this concentrated, ripe Merlot over the next few years.

Wine Advocate

90

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

The 2015 Marsau is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a savory, meaty, earthy nose of smoked meats and scorched earth over a core of warm plums and blackberry pie plus a hint of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, chewy structure and good concentration of muscular fruit, finishing savory/sweet.

Wine Spectator

90

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

Very solid, with a beam of black currant and fig paste flavors enlivened with singed juniper and warm tobacco notes. Reveals a light charcoal hint through the finish. Focused and fresh. Drink now through 2021. 3,333 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

Intense red-clay and blackberry aromas with brambleberries and mushrooms, too. Full-bodied, soft and round, yet the tannins pull you in with their power. Pretty depth and intensity. Needs time to mellow.

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byRichard Hemmingsthe10/6/2017

100% Merlot. Sweet oak and ripe, sweet plum fruit. Furry tannin and a ferrous, bloody note on the palate. Modern and fruit-driven and a little generic, but clearly successful in its style. (RH)

Le Figaro

15

byBernard Burtschythe5/11/2016

En pur merlot, un vin suave et charmeur, tout en rondeur 3-8 ans.

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe5/8/2016

The Chadronnier family of Dourthe/CVBG now own this property. Very ripe and plump on the nose. Only just enough acidity but lovely round texture and fine tannins on the end. Should provide early pleasure.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Marsau is made by the "better half" of CVBG's Mathieu Chardronnier. It is 100% Merlot from 30-year-old vines planted on clay soil and matured in 30% new oak. It felt a little pinched on the nose at first, a little unresponsive, though with aeration I found a light marine influence tincturing the black fruit and it began to find a (prenatal) voice. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin. There is good weight here: furry textured tannin, but appreciable freshness and a sense of elegance on the finish. Give this 2-3 years in bottle and you will have a fine Francs - Côtes de Bordeaux on your hands. Drink 2018-2028

Vinous

86-88

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

A dense, unctuous wine, the 2015 Marsau possesses notable richness in its red cherry jam, pomegranate and sweet spice flavors. This is an especially flamboyant, ripe style, but it works, and nicely.

timatkin.com

93

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

A very dense and rich Marsau with big tannin structure and ripe fruit. Full body, tar and blackberry character. Asphalt and graphite undertones. Fascinating young red.

Wine Spectator

89-92

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2016

Solid, with an almost gutsy edge, as plum and dark currant fruit is pushed by a slightly chewy, brambly feel, followed by notes of tobacco and licorice root on the finish. This has good character and depth.—J.M.