VIEUX CHATEAU MAZERAT Grand Cru Saint-Emilion 2008 Bottle

Description

THE WINE ADVOCATE (93-95) points/100
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2009 - 2029
The 2008 was singing marvelously when I tasted it. Inky/purple-colored with full body, excellent concentration, and loads of black fruits intermixed with spring flowers, forest floor, crushed rock, and subtle smoke characteristics, it is a dense, rich, opulent, flamboyant effort with a 45-second finish. This is another example of the brilliant winemaking talents displayed by Jonathan Maltus and his consulting oenologists, Gilles Pauquet and Neil Whyte. The 2008 should drink well for 20+ years.

A new acquisition by proprietor Jonathan Maltus, who sold Grand Destieu in order to upgrade to this terroir, this 10-acre vineyard is planted with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. It is situated near several of the premier grand cru classes of St.-Emilion, including both Beausejours and Angelus.

DECANTER 93 points/100
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at The Landmark Hotel, London, 05 Nov 2022)
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2030
Scented black fruit; damsons and plums. Supple and juicy on the palate, this is more gentle than the 2010, 11 and 12 right now benefiting from an extra few years in bottle. Tannins are plush - crushed velvet textured but so comfortable in the mouth, this is relaxed and slowly spreads out giving gentle spice and minty freshness with almost chewy, juicy raspberry, black cherry and plum fruit against a chalky minerality showing off the terroir. I like this, it still has concentration and the power, telling you it's serious, but it's had enough time for the wood to fully integrate, the spice to lessen and the fruit density and richness to shine in a gentle way. Feels extremely balanced and delicious to drink right now.

VINOUS 92 points/100
Drinking window: 2018 - 2030
The 2008 Vieux Château Mazerat, from Jonathan Maltus' vineyard tucked below Angélus, is a great success at a decade old and fulfils the potential it showed from barrel, the only time I tasted this Saint Émilion. At a decade old it is still youthful in appearance. The bouquet is fresh and generous with plush black fruit, a hint of espresso and pressed flowers all very well defined and focused. The palate is fleshy and silky-smooth, not a decadent Saint Émilion but unashamedly modern with a hint of truffle and hung game towards the finish. There is an endearing sense of balance, opulent rather than hedonistic, a Vieux-Château Mazerat that I can see giving drinkers another decade of pleasure.
Neal Martin. Tasting date: February 2018