Château Haut-Marbuzet 2018

Tasting Notes and Advice for Château Haut-Marbuzet 2018

Tasting

Color

This wine reveals a deep red hue with intense, bright purple highlights, reflecting the wine’s remarkable concentration.

Nose

The nose opens generously with intense aromas of ripe dark fruits, notably blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. Floral notes of violet accompany this bouquet, enhanced by spicy touches and fine, elegant oak. With aeration, hints of vanilla, cedar and fresh tobacco gradually emerge.

Palate

The attack is supple and enveloping, revealing a velvety, generous texture. The tannins, remarkably ripe and silky, integrate harmoniously into a balanced structure. The palate expresses beautiful fruit concentration, supported by preserved freshness that maintains the elegance of the whole. The finish stands out for its exceptional length and aromatic persistence, where notes of dark fruits, spices and licorice continue to unfold.

Food and Wine Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, notably ribeye steak, roast beef or lamb chops. It also matches well with dishes in sauce such as beef bourguignon, Provençal daube or cassoulet. Aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Parmigiano Reggiano make excellent pairings. Feathered game, duck breast with figs, or even a dark chocolate fondant offer harmonious, refined combinations.

Serving and Cellaring

For tasting in its early years, decanting for one to two hours is recommended. Château Haut-Marbuzet 2018 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2038, developing greater aromatic complexity over time.

A voluptuous, seductive Saint-Estèphe signed by Haut-Marbuzet

The Estate

Founded in the 18th century, Château Haut-Marbuzet experienced significant growth in 1952 under the impetus of Hervé Duboscq. Located in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, the estate now spans 70 hectares. Run by Henri Duboscq and his sons, the château stands out for its plantings dominated by Merlot and its aging in new barrels, giving its wines a rare creaminess.

The Vineyard

The Château Haut-Marbuzet vineyard stretches across 75 hectares overlooking the Gironde, in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The vines grow on a ridge of Günzian gravels combined with a subsoil of clay and limestone, giving the wine depth and complexity. The average vine age reaches 30 years. The estate practices sustainable farming and harvesting remains manual, with rigorous selection of very ripe grapes.

The Vintage

The year 2018 proved exceptional for the Bordeaux region. A particularly hot, dry summer encouraged optimal ripening of the grapes, while the alternation of cool nights and warm days helped develop rich concentration while preserving freshness. These ideal climatic conditions provided a superior qualitative foundation for crafting Saint-Estèphe wines.

Vinification and Aging

Château Haut-Marbuzet 2018 is aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, a distinctive approach at the estate initiated in the 1980s. This method gives the wine an enveloping texture and a refined oaky signature, while preserving the expression of the fruit and aromatic complexity.

Grape Varieties

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot