Haut Marbuzet 2008

Aromas of tapenade, roasted herbs, sweet cherries and black currants and a subtle note of oak emerge from this medium-bodied, richly fruity, charming 2008. Spicy and irresistible, it is best drunk over the next 5-6 years.

Spicy, earthy, and well-made, this is not the normal, exotic, exuberant style one expects from Haut-Marbuzet. The 2008 possesses sweet black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with hints of toasty oak and roasted herbs. Drink it over the next 7-8 years

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The Haut Marbuzet 2008 showed a little bottle variation back during en primeur, but here I am pleased to report that it has turned into a respectable Saint Estèphe. It has a clean, ripe nose of black fruit with cedar and scorched earth aromas. Well defined and precise, even if it lacks a little vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with a fiery spice entry, deep and tannic with Schezhuan pepper on the weight finish. It is a bit overdone, but it is packed full of flavour. Tasted January 2012.