The 2018 Marsau Bordeaux Blend from the Cotes de Francs region of Bordeaux, France, is a red wine that has garnered notable attention from professional reviewers. This particular vintage is made purely from Merlot grapes that are organically grown, and its production was limited to only 20% of the winery's typical output, highlighting its exclusivity.
James Suckling awarded the wine a score of 94, describing it as having "beautifully pure cherry, berry, black-olive, and lightly toasted coffee-bean aromas." He emphasized the wine's full body and the "lovely center palate and purity of fruit," noting its balance, poise, and "wonderful depth." Suckling suggests that the wine needs a couple more years to fully develop, recommending it be tried after 2022.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with Yohan Castaing as the reviewer, gave the wine a score of 91. Castaing noted the presence of "notes of cherries, graphite, shaving pencil, flowers, and cassis." He described the wine as medium to full-bodied, with a "textural attack and juicy texture." This review highlighted the wine's "solar energy," suggesting a more muscular profile with "firm, powdery tannins."
Overall, the 2018 Marsau is a wine that combines purity of fruit with a well-structured body. Its limited production and organic cultivation add to its allure, making it a wine that is both exclusive and expressive of its terroir. Both reviewers agree on its depth and balance, although they highlight different aspects of its character. For those interested in a Bordeaux blend that promises complexity and development over time, the 2018 Marsau is a compelling choice.