CHÂTEAU MARSAU

A pure merlot with black-olive and blackberry aromas and flavors with a medium body, creamy tannins and a juicy finish. All here. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2022)

In theory, an organic wine from 100% Merlot should not do well in 2021, and yet this has an enticing ruby colour with violet reflections and is delicate and nuanced wtihout being austere or diluted. Defintely a success, with raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a mouthwatering finish. Unlike most of the Francs appellation, the 12ha Marsau vienyard is made up of clay-gravel soils rather than limestone, giving a different more powerful flavour profile, and after losing 80% of the crop to frost in 2018 they rethought their growing method, now going for no-till with cover crops all year. Has helped keep soil temperatures manageable in the hot years, and increased competition this year, allowed water stress to develop by the end of August - a few weeks later than normal, but still having an impact on flavour concentration. Harvest 28 September to October 6, vinified with no added sulphur, natural yeasts, 3.6ph. Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2022)

Such a fresh and elegant nose, floral and lifted, so pure - a real clarity of aromas. Silky smooth on the palate, gentle in terms of texture but with a lovely core of flavour, succulent but also the most delicate grip that just fills the mouth and gives the structure, expansiveness and length. It's well expressed, nothing too much, nothing standing out. Well worked with a pristine quality, really quite delicate - it's the flavors around the mouth rather than the weight which is so captivating. Graceful and yet there is power and ripeness as well as a hit of spice and minty crushed stone on the finish. Good balance and a fine effort in 2021. A yield of 26hl/ha. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 91 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2022)