CHATEAU HAUT-MARBUZET Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Saint-Estephe 2022 Bottle

Description

The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet is a remarkable wine that beautifully contrasts the typical power and austerity of the region, earning high praise from critics. The Wine Advocate rated it 94+ points, highlighting its elegant bouquet of licorice, dark berries, and flowers, alongside velvety tannins and a long, saline finish. James Suckling awarded it 96-97 points, noting the attractive dark berry flavors combined with spicy herbs and graphite, framed by fresh, crunchy acidity. Decanter gave it 93 points, praising its concentrated Cabernet character with strong tannins and notes of dark chocolate and clove, showcasing excellent potential for aging. Vinous also rated it 93 points, emphasizing the wine's precision and creamy texture. With a drinking window from 2026 to 2048, Haut-Marbuzet is poised to enchant wine lovers for years to come.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94+ points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2028 - 2048
As usual, this estate crafted another sensual, delicate wine in a region where power and austerity are often the norm. The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet reveals an elegant, seductive bouquet of licorice, dark berries, cherries and flowers mingled with barely noticeable oak. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered, it's enveloping with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, mineral, almost saline finish. It's a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Published: Mar 06, 2025

JAMES SUCKLING 96-97 Points
12 Apr, 2023 – Dark berries, spicy herbs and sea shell undertones. Graphite, too. Ripe but fresh and crunchy with medium to full body and firm, very fine, linear tannins. Long and mineral and delicate on the finish. Really attractive.

DECANTER 93 points
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038 - Seriously tannic and quite liquorice where you instantly get the tight coiled nature from the concentrated Cabernet and the terroir. Strongly muscled and confident - this has precision and detail with lots of savoury dark chocolate and clove elements edging the ripe, plush tannins underpinned by juicy blackcurrants with a lean salty tang. This has excellent potential. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Harvest 6 September - 3 October. Yield of 30hl/ha. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Antoine Médeville consultant. Georgina Hindle Apr 23

VINOUS 93 points
The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet has a refined, finely delineated bouquet with black cherry, bilberry, orange rind and light leathery scents that unfold in the glass. The palate is well balanced with pliant, saturated tannins. As I wrote in my primeur note, this is a less bold and concentrated Haut-Marbuzet. Instead, one finds more precision and terroir expression, especially on the creamy-textured and persistent finish. This is excellent. - Neal Martin