This has lively pepper and bay streaks, along with a sanguine twinge, amid the core of cherry and red currant fruit. A bright iron note shows on the finish. Has length, refinement and purity. Best from 2018 through 2024. 4,600 cases made.

The Clos Marsalette 2014 is a blend of 60% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 29 September and 10 October at 43 hectoliters per hectare and with a 21-day cuvaison. Aged in 40% new oak, it has a rounded and quite sensual bouquet with mulberry and thyme scents emerging from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, the oak a little conspicuous at the moment. There are no hard edges here. The finish is balanced with quite broody black fruit and touches of black olive, although I feel that it does not quite have the complexity of the best vintages of this Pessac-Léognan from Comtes von Neipperg.