2014 La Marzelle

The 2014 La Marzelle is stunning. Unabashedly modern, opulent and full-throttle, the 2014 races across the palate with superb depth and richness. Violets, lavender, smoke, spices, crème de cassis and dark, inky fruit meld together in an effortless, powerful wine that dazzles from the very first taste. Unlike so many wines made in this style, the extraction is not at all forced, which is remarkable. In many ways, the 2014 feels incredibly natural, with the style of the wine very obviously well-calibrated to the personality of the site. Readers who enjoy voluptuous, racy reds will flip out over the 2014. Jean-Luc Thunevin and Michel Rolland consult. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2014 is 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from a blend of the three soil types on the property that are basically gravels and sand on clay. Tasted two times.

The Château La Marzelle 2014 has a very attractive bouquet: enticingly pure with cassis and black cherry fruit that blossoms from the glass, veins of vanilla imparted by the new oak. The palate is fresh in the mouth with sweet candied red cherry fruit struck through with fine acidity. It is silky smooth right to the finish. This is a well-crafted modern Saint Emilion with more than enough panache.

75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky purple crimson. Sweet oak with light note of chocolate and plenty of cassis. Lots of dark chocolate and oak on the palate too but juicy and fresh, the tannins remarkably supple. Mocha finish. (JH)