Chateau La Marzelle 2023

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 La Marzelle is deep garnet-purple in color. Broody cedar and tar notes soon open out to reveal a compelling core of plum preserves, Morello cherries, and pencil shavings with a touch of bay leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock full of juicy black fruits with a velvety texture and lovely freshness, finishing earthy. This is impressive!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Plenty of crunchy blackberry fruit with salt and chocolate. Medium body with an attractive center-palate and a juicy finish. I like the salty note at the end."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife Zwetschkenfrucht, dunkle Kirschen, feine Kräuterwürze, etwas Edelholz und Nugat sind unterlegt. Saftig, elegant, feiner Säurebogen, fruchtige Süße, reife Tannine, stoffig und anhaftend, gutes Reifepotenzial."

VINUM: "Ein Bouquet mit Tiefgang und viel dunkler Frucht, das Holz ist präsent, in der Nase und am Gaumen, steht jedoch in guter Harmonie zur Frucht, saftig, strukturiert, angenehm lang und mit dunkelfruchtigen Rückaromen. Modern, sauber, hohe Qualität."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Licorice, black cherries, plums, and chocolate pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is supple, creamy, and fresh, with layers of dark red berries, cocoa, licorice and spice, leaving you with chocolate-covered, black cherries, and a sprig of mint. Drink from 2027-2040."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2023 Château La Marzelle is mostly Merlot yet includes 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which will spend 16 months in a mix of new barrels and amphora. Ripe aromatics of plums, cassis, candied violets, and flowery incense, as well as ample spicy oak, all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, lush, opulent mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a good finish. It's rock solid, and this beauty has plenty of like. I think it will drink well in its youth, yet there's enough structure to allow it to evolve gracefully as well. Tasted multiple times with consistent results."

WEINWISSER: "Intensives leicht überreifes Bouquet, Heidelbeerkompott, Lavendel und Kokoscreme. Am kompakten Gaumen mit nerviger Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und sehnigem Körper. Im sehr straffen aromatischen Finale kleine zerdrückte schwarze Beeren, dunkles Graphit und mürbe Adstringenz. Aufgerundet."

DECANTER: "More a modern style meaning oak extraction with toast and clove, rather prominent but also juicy plum fruit. A palate that shows both breadth and depth, reflecting some cool blue clay concentration. The finish is a bit tight but that should be resolved with the barrel ageing."