Château Haut-Marbuzet - Saint-Estèphe 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A well-rounded wine for the vintage, harmonious, with a texture comparable to the finest crus classés and a new sense of balance, perhaps due to the presence of a small proportion of remarkable Cabernet Franc from young vines. Tasted at Château Haut-Marbuzet. Best enjoyed before 2030.

About the estate:

This world-renowned estate is located in Marbuzet, on a hillside overlooking the Gironde River. Its vineyards lie halfway between Cos d’Estournel and Montrose. Henri Dubosq, a leading figure in the Médoc, has been crafting the estate’s wines with great success since 1982. In 2006, he partnered with Michelin-starred chef Philippe Jorand to bring out the best in the 13 hectares of Château Layauga-Duboscq, situated on prime terroirs around Gaillan and Queyrac. The wines of Haut-Marbuzet have always been full-bodied, combining roundness and richness, with excellent aging potential. Haut-Marbuzet is truly a superb, must-visit estate within the appellation.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The 2017 Haut-Marbuzet opens with a superb, brilliant ruby color. With notes of fresh red fruit, spices, licorice, and forest floor, the bouquet is also particularly expressive. Supple and round on the palate at first, the wine then develops a solid tannic structure that carries the finish well into the aftertaste, leaving one confident in this wine’s aging potential. 2024–2028

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2017 vintage has lost none of its charm and caressing quality. A Haut-Marbuzet that’s right on point—smooth and incredibly refined. It will be hard to resist.

About the estate:

No other Bordeaux estate can claim to have such a devoted community of wine lovers. For more than thirty years, Haut-Marbuzet and its colorful and dynamic owner, Henri Dubosq—now supported by his sons—have won the hearts of discerning wine connoisseurs. While these wines have long been considered charming in their youth (which they undeniably are), yet limited in terms of aging potential, one must taste the mature vintages of this Saint-Estèphe estate to understand that its terroir is above all capable of producing wines that age beautifully. The old Merlot vines planted on blue clay lend Haut-Marbuzet’s bouquet superb truffle notes reminiscent of certain old Pomerols. Like many others, the estate experienced a slight dip in form in the early 2000s, but its strong comeback in recent years makes it more indispensable than ever in the cellars of wine enthusiasts.

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2017 Haut-Marbuzet has a very fragrant bouquet, with aromas of red currant, blackberry, and subtle floral notes. It possesses an alluring purity, though it lacks the complexity of some of the best vintages I’ve tasted from this Saint-Estèphe cru. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with supple tannins, a delicately sparkling acidity, good density, and a lingering finish tinged with black pepper. It is excellent and follows in the footsteps of previous vintages. 2022–2038

James Suckling

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A juicy, fruity, full-bodied, vibrant wine with a silky mouthfeel, good acid balance, round and crisp tannins, and a long finish. 2020–2035

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The Haut-Marbuzet has a beautifully fresh bouquet, where black berries and refreshing nuances are in perfect harmony. The palate follows the bouquet’s lead; it is luscious, inviting, and fresh. Good aromatic expression, ideally supported by the structure. The tannins are elegant, perfectly integrated, and provide good structure. A St-Estèphe full of finesse. Bravo. 2023–2037

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity and elegant, offering refined power, a touch of richness, and good concentration. It reveals notes of blackberry, ripe blackcurrant, and, more subtly, Gariguette strawberry, combined with delicate hints of violet and a subtle hint of spice. The palate is fresh, fruity, and well-balanced, with a delicate, crisp structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy, fleshy blackberry, fleshy, juicy raspberry, and, to a lesser extent, blackcurrant, combined with delicate hints of violet, refined mineral notes, and subtle hints of graphite.