93+
JEB DUNNUCK: "I loved the 2019 Clos Marsalette, which has a ripe, sexy, medium to full-bodied style as well as classic Graves-like aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, damp earth, and chocolate. It certainly has an herbal edge, yet the fruit is pure and sweet (not residual sugar), it has ripe tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. Count me as a fan. Drink this puppy any time over the coming two decades."
93
JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, graphite, iodine, wet earth, tar and black tea. Some green olives and dried herbs. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Balanced and fresh. Classically structured. Drink from 2025."
93
WINE SPECTATOR: "Features the lush cassis, mulled plum and boysenberry compote profile of the vintage, along with a fresh mineral streak as well as juniper and savory hints that give it some distinction. Alluring but on the languid side, which is the theme for Pessac in 2019. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2033. 2,600 cases made, 200 cases imported."
17,5
WEINWISSER: "50 % Merlot, 49 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 54 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur mit satter Mitte. Herrlicher Waldbeercocktail, dahinter Schokopastillen und Lakritze. Am molligen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, stützendem Tannin; zarte kernige Noten aufkommend. Im aromatischen Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen und Brasiltabak. Hat bewusst eine schlankere Variante als im vergangenen Jahr gewählt."
92
DECANTER: "A consistently successful Neipperg wine in Pessac, bringing some of his signature glamour to the Left Bank. This is a big shouldered wine, feels fairly high in alcohol and not one that you are going to ignore. I wonder if this style does better on the limestones of St Emilion where there is greater natural acidity as a counterbalance, but no question that this has plenty of texture and swagger."
92
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feine reife Pflaumen-Kirsch-Frucht, zarte Kräuterwürze, kandierte Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Saftig und süß, reife Tannine, zarter Schokoladeanklang, kraftvoll, würzig und anhaftend, ein unkomplizierter Speisenbegleiter, mineralisches Finale."
92
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Dark in color, the wine quickly shows off its deep, red fruits, wet earth, spice, flowers, smoke and touch of salt on the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, creamy, fresh and fruity with a finish packed with black cherries, plums and spicy, fresh red currants. Give it a year or two in the cellar and it will be even better! Drink from 2024-2033."
91
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Offering up aromas of sweet wild berries, rose petals, orange rind, wood smoke and loamy soil, the 2019 Clos Marsalette is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a sweet core of fruit, melting tannins and a lively, succulent profile. Cabernet Sauvignon represents some 50% of the blend at this small Pessac-LĂ©ognan estate."