Chateau Clos Marsalette 2016

James Suckling: "Beautiful sweet berries and strawberries. Hints of orange peel. Full to medium body, medium tannins and a savory and bright finish. Enjoy the toasted oak and chocolate undertone to this. Drink in 2021."

Wine Spectator: "Cedar and tobacco aromas lead off, followed by gently steeped red currant and plum fruit flavors. An elegant mix of herb, sanguine and iron notes chimes on the very silky, restrained finish. A wine of subtle charm and sneaky length, with elegance the main feature. Drink now through 2030."

The Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Clos Marsalette, the Pessac-Léognan property of Comte Stephan von Neipperg, is a blend of 45% Merlot, 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 4-18 October and matured in 35% new oak. It has a clean and precise bouquet with blackberry and bilberry scents, a fine undercurrent of minerals. I like the elegance on display here. The palate is medium-bodied with mulberry and blackberry on the entry, a touch of black olive and quite a saline second half that is both fresh and detailed. This should drink well over the next decade. It's just a delicious wine--no more, no less."

Weinwisser: "Purpur mit satter Mitte und violettem Rand. Duftige Waldbeere und dunkles Edelholz, dahinter Kirschtabak und Heidelbeerdrops. Am molligen und saftigen Gaumen mit viel schwarzer Johannisbeere im Nachhall, auf schwarzen Pfeffer endend. Best Buy aus Pessac–Léognan!"

Decanter: "As ever with Neippereg this is perfectly dressed, with great fruit selection and presentation, ready for a close up. Oak toast is evident but well balanced by some attractive black cherry, raspberry coulis and charcoal mid-palate. A very good wine."

Jeb Dunnuck: "As to the red Graves from the Neipperg family, the 2016 Clos Marsalette is plush and charming, with a delicate style in its pretty cassis and currant fruits, notes of tobacco, medium body, and silky, fine tannins. All about balance and finesse, yet with good density, drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years. This is another brilliant sleeper in this vintage and should be snatched up by savvy readers."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Smoke, dark cherry and tobacco notes create the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, supple, and forward, with a dark cherry and espresso filled finish. The wine was made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc."