Clos Marsalette
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
A little blocky and rough initially. Needed an hour or two to come together. Then the nose started showing elegant black cherry and cassis fruit, smoky gravel tones, and a little dry underbrush. It softened in the mouth too. The tannins are quite present and clingy, but receding under the waves of fruit and loads of rich clay-like earthiness. Decent acids, especially for an ‘18. This is nice now with a 90+ minute decant, and likely will improve even more over the next 5 years or so.
A little blocky and rough initially. Needed an hour or two to come together. Then the nose started showing elegant black cherry and cassis fruit, smoky gravel tones, and a little dry underbrush. It softened in the mouth too. The tannins are quite present and clingy, but receding under the waves of fruit and loads of rich clay-like earthiness. Decent acids, especially for an ‘18. This is nice now with a 90+ minute decant, and likely will improve even more over the next 5 years or so.
Aug 20th, 2026
Vintage 2018 | Second red wine at family bbq. An Italian wine with feminine impressions and fruit, this wine offers more structure and power, tobacco and chocolate impressions | with family bbq
Vintage 2018 | Second red wine at family bbq. An Italian wine with feminine impressions and fruit, this wine offers more structure and power, tobacco and chocolate impressions | with family bbq
Sep 15th, 2024It’s been open only about 15 minutes but already the nose is delivering with complex scents of gravel, iodine, rich green tobacco, foresty underbrush, plums, a whiff of peach. In the mouth, it’s more youthful than the color indicates. Plenty of tannin (medium-soft) left to resolve. Lots of gravelly minerality and savory flavors. Fruit submerged for now but you can sense it lurking. Nice length. Very nice now but should be better in 3-5 years.
UPDATE: After almost 2 hours of air, the fruit is showing up on the palate and the tannins are receding.
It’s been open only about 15 minutes but already the nose is delivering with complex scents of gravel, iodine, rich green tobacco, foresty underbrush, plums, a whiff of peach. In the mouth, it’s more youthful than the color indicates. Plenty of tannin (medium-soft) left to resolve. Lots of gravelly minerality and savory flavors. Fruit submerged for now but you can sense it lurking. Nice length. Very nice now but should be better in 3-5 years.
UPDATE: After almost 2 hours of air, the fruit is showing up on the palate and the tannins are receding.
Drank 3/4/23
Plum, blackberry, and a bit of graphite and cedar on the nose. Flavors are similar. Tannins medium plus with dark fruit on the long finish. Drinkable now, but will likely improve over the next 10-15 years.
3/22/9/4/4 +50 = 92 pts.
Drank 3/4/23
Plum, blackberry, and a bit of graphite and cedar on the nose. Flavors are similar. Tannins medium plus with dark fruit on the long finish. Drinkable now, but will likely improve over the next 10-15 years.
3/22/9/4/4 +50 = 92 pts.
2019 vintage. Co-owned by Stephan von Neipperg ( La Mondotte and Canon La Gaffelière). 50 % Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. Slightly jammy red and black fruit, intertwined with smokey oak and spices. Good concentration and velvety mouthfeel with a spicy finish. Not as profound as the excellent 2018, but a very attractive wine. One wonders why one can find it at dumping prices in my local hypermarket. Abv. 14,5%.
2019 vintage. Co-owned by Stephan von Neipperg ( La Mondotte and Canon La Gaffelière). 50 % Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. Slightly jammy red and black fruit, intertwined with smokey oak and spices. Good concentration and velvety mouthfeel with a spicy finish. Not as profound as the excellent 2018, but a very attractive wine. One wonders why one can find it at dumping prices in my local hypermarket. Abv. 14,5%.
Oct 8th, 20222018 vintage. Co-owned by Stephan von Neipperg (La Mondotte and Canon La Gaffelière in Saint-Emilion). A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Very attractive nose with black cherries, blackberries and strawberry marmelade, mixed with smokey oak and Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, with concentrated black fruit, smooth tannin and great spicy length. Super sexy hedonistic Bordeaux. Amazing value too. Highly recommended.
2018 vintage. Co-owned by Stephan von Neipperg (La Mondotte and Canon La Gaffelière in Saint-Emilion). A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Very attractive nose with black cherries, blackberries and strawberry marmelade, mixed with smokey oak and Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, with concentrated black fruit, smooth tannin and great spicy length. Super sexy hedonistic Bordeaux. Amazing value too. Highly recommended.
2 people found it helpfulSep 30th, 2021
50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Graves Red Blend. Beautiful aromas of black cherry/currant with hints of rose petals, violets, black licorice, smoke and bay leaves. Powerful flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and spices. Nicely integrated tannins. Juicy, Rich and Powerful!
50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Graves Red Blend. Beautiful aromas of black cherry/currant with hints of rose petals, violets, black licorice, smoke and bay leaves. Powerful flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and spices. Nicely integrated tannins. Juicy, Rich and Powerful!
1 person found it helpfulNov 1st, 2021
This is the Clos Marsalette white.
This is the Clos Marsalette white.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 7th, 2017
Bosc pear with smoke. Stony white chalk. Golden apple and lemon water. Edible Orchid, pure lemon juice with a tinge of lemon oil. Half-dry tangerine, white grapefruit and pith.
Bosc pear with smoke. Stony white chalk. Golden apple and lemon water. Edible Orchid, pure lemon juice with a tinge of lemon oil. Half-dry tangerine, white grapefruit and pith.
Feb 7th, 2017
Absolutely loving this. Coffee, graphite, herbs, and a mix of red and black fruit. What makes this special though is the smoke. Gives off a continuous smoldering savoriness that's irresistable. Parker calls it "spicy barbecue notes" and Molesworth nails it with "lively mesquite."
Absolutely loving this. Coffee, graphite, herbs, and a mix of red and black fruit. What makes this special though is the smoke. Gives off a continuous smoldering savoriness that's irresistable. Parker calls it "spicy barbecue notes" and Molesworth nails it with "lively mesquite."
Oct 28th, 2016