VIEUX CHATEAU MAZERAT Grand Cru Saint-Emilion 2008 Bottle

Description

Vieux Château Mazerat 2008 is from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, produced under the guidance of Jonathan Maltus. The vineyard is situated on the clay and limestone slopes adjacent to Château Angélus and Château Canon, a site that naturally imparts both power and mineral complexity to the wine. This vintage is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, reflecting the traditional character of the Right Bank.

The 2008 growing season was marked by a long, cool summer, requiring a late harvest to ensure full phenolic ripeness. The result is a wine with a refined structure and a prominent sense of freshness. On the nose, it offers a sophisticated profile of dark plums, blackcurrants, and dried herbs, complemented by subtle notes of tobacco and crushed stone.

The palate is full-bodied and well-defined, featuring firm tannins that have integrated through years of careful cellaring. The Cabernet Franc adds a floral lift and a peppery spice that balances the rich, velvety texture of the Merlot. With a persistent, savoury finish, the 2008 vintage demonstrates excellent longevity. It is a structured and expressive wine that pairs exceptionally well with roasted red meats, game, or rich mushroom-based dishes.

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
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.