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95
James Suckling: Expressive, fruity and quite generous. Loads of red berries and sweet cherries on the nose with a floral touch. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Delicious pulp character in the finish."
93
Jane Anson: A swirl of cinnamon and white pepper spice, sandalwood and incense, great quality, again there is the austerity of the vintage but well handled with firm black fruits, a true En Primeur sample as is often the case with this estate - where you feel it is not always the easiest to taste right now, but that it is brimming with promise for the future. Huge concentration. Harvest September 11 to 23, 3.53ph."
93
Falstaff: Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, feiner Edelholztouch, dunkle Beerenfrucht, floraler Touch, ein Hauch von Cassis unterlegt. Saftig, reife Kirschen, präsente Tannine, Gewürznelken im Abgang, eher leichtfüßig, bleibt haften, wird von Reife profitieren, etwas old fashioned."
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94
The Wine Cellar Insider: Round, supple, lush, and creamy, the wine packs in layers of juicy, ripe, red, with black fruits, licorice, mocha, and espresso. Medium-bodied, soft, and polished, this will be just great with a year or two of bottle age. Drink from 2028-2040."
92-
93
Wine Advocate: The 2025 Haut-Marbuzet, a blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, reveals a nuanced bouquet of violet, dark berries and licorice, with oak that is well integrated and discreet. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s precise and layered, built around a supple yet structured core of dark fruit framed by youthful, silky tannins. The finish is long and gently marked by Cabernet Sauvignon, lending definition and persistence. In 2025, the wine leans more toward the character of the vintage than the estate’s more opulent signature, resulting in a slightly less marked identity than in 2022, but a particularly composed and refined expression."
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Jeb Dunnuck: A solid, nicely balanced effort in the vintage, the 2025 Château Haut-Marbuzet offers ripe cassis and black raspberry notes intermixed with spicy oak and violets. Based on 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc that will spend 16 to 18 months in 100% new French oak, it's medium-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins and outstanding length. I think it's clearly going to be outstanding, if not quite a bit more."
92
Decanter: Slightly tight on the nose still, meditative and needs some time in the glass to open up. The palate shows the typical power and austerity of a classic Saint-Estephe with grippy but fine tannins, some savoury notes and a hint of oak patina. Very traditional overall, with the alcohol that is slightly warming on the finish. The solid structure promises good ageing potential. No Petit Verdot in the blend this year."
