2017 La Marzelle
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The 2017 La Marzelle is bold and sumptuous, as it always is, but is also penalized by hard, forbidding tannins. Sadly, the 2017 is an underwhelming effort for a wine that has been much more impressive of late.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
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Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 la Marzelle opens a little closed and rubbery, giving way to a core of baked plums, blackberry pie and Black Forest cake with hints of tar and moss-covered bark. Medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with black fruit preserves and loads of savory layers, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing with a peppery kick.
From organic vines and a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in new barrels, the 2017 Chateau La Marzelle is a forward, fleshy effort that has lots of Bing cherry, raspberry, candied violets, and flowery incense aromas and flavors. With nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, fine tannins, and considerable elegance and purity, it's well worth seeking out and should have 10-15 years of prime drinking.
The 2017 La Marzelle felt a little under-ripe on the nose and lacked the cohesion of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, quite spicy on the tip of the tongue but just missing some flair and unity towards the finish. Two or three samples towards the end of my tastings demonstrated a little more cohesion and yet I would have liked more complexity and personality to show.