2021 Chateau Clos Marsalette BLANC - Pessac (750ml)
We've just received the last available cases of this gem. This was a hot tip from one of our negoce partners and I tasted the wine recently again in Bordeaux. 2021 was an absolutely rocking vintage for white Bordeaux and this beauty punches way above its weight. You may have tried the great red from this property, but once you try the white you'll be hooked!
Sixty percent Sauvignon Blanc and forty percent Sémillon, raised in 20% new oak, it threads the needle between vibrancy and richness with real elegance.
Overview
From the Martillac cradle of Pessac-Léognan, the 2021 Chateau Clos Marsalette Blanc is a compelling white Bordeaux born from a collaboration between Count Stephan von Neipperg (of Canon-La-Gaffelière) and partner Didier Miqueu. This vineyard, perched on ancient gravelly rises carried by the Garonne, sits above a layered subsoil of marine sediment, shelly sand, and clay dating to the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, delivering a distinctive mineral backbone to the wine.
Terroir & Vinification
The fruit is hand-harvested and aged on fine lees in a thoughtful blend of oak barrels (30% new) and stainless steel vats. This regimen nurtures texture and precision while preserving the wine’s bright, energetic profile that is a hallmark of the 2021 vintage.
Tasting Notes
An aromatic invitation of white peach, pear, and delicate flowers unfolds against a chalky, almost saline minerality. On the palate, the wine sits in the medium- to full-bodied range with bright acidity, delivering purity and focus. The midpalate reveals dried lemon, lemon curd, and mango, creating a layered and persistent mouthfeel that culminates in a lively, well-defined finish.
Vintage & Cellar Potential
The 2021 vintage showcases remarkable precision and persistence, making Clos Marsalette Blanc a standout value in white Bordeaux. Enjoy now through 2029 to experience its evolving complexity as it harmonizes with the wine’s mineral core and citrus-inflected fruit.
Pairings
This vibrant, mineral-driven white Bordeaux pairs beautifully with seafood dishes such as grilled scallops or sea bass, as well as goat cheese and light poultry preparations with citrus or herb accents. Its crisp structure and nuanced fruit support a range of refined, seafood-forward menus.