2022, Château Haut-Marbuzet, SAINT-ESTÈPHE, Cru Bourgeois

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc.

Owned by the Duboscq family since 1952. Haut-Marbuzet's exceptional terroir extends close to Château Montrose and Château Cos d’Estournel. Gravel, clay and limestone soil, facing east over the Gironde, provide the vineyard with the perfect balance between warmth and humidity.

The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet is terrific. Ripe red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, mint, liquorice, mocha and dried herbs are nicely dialled up in this fleshy, racy Saint-Estèphe. Haut-Marbuzet is often one of the most distinctive wines in Bordeaux, as it is once again in 2022. 90-92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The 2022 Haut-Marbuzet has a detailed nose, perhaps less precocious than I anticipated, focused with brambly red fruit, cedar and sous-bois aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a fleshy middle, white pepper and clove toward a harmonious finish that gently fans out. There is a pleasing peacock's tail here - a very promising and classy Saint-Estèphe. Tasted three times. 93-95 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Dark plum and damson, cigar box, grilled cedar and sandalwood, this is highly charged but has lovely eucalyptus fruit, nice balance, grippy tannins, old school but enjoyable, even with the flash of heat on the finish. 93 Jane Anson, Decanter.

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. 93 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

Drinking Window: 2026 - 2048