2016 Chateau Clos Marsalette - Pessac (750ml)
2016 Château Clos Marsalette - Pessac, Martillac Estate
From Count Stephan von Neipperg and Didier Miqueu’s Martillac estate—the same ownership behind Canon-La-Gaffelière—this red Bordeaux captures the gravelly rises laid down by the Garonne and enriched by a complex marine-subsoil. The 2016 vintage is bottled after 15–18 months in 35% new French oak, delivering a wine that balances precision with expressive depth.
The nose is clean and precise, offering blackberry and bilberry with a subtle mineral undercurrent. On the palate, mulberry and blackberry lead, accompanied by a hint of black olive; the second half reveals a saline freshness that keeps the wine bright and detailed. Aromatics expand to blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, sweet spices, floral notes, vanilla, and a light touch of tobacco, all wrapped in a silky texture with fine, coated tannins and a lingering, slightly smoky finish.
Tasting notes
- Nose: blackberry, bilberry, blackcurrant, cherry, floral notes, vanilla, and a mineral edge
- Palate: medium-bodied with mulberry and blackberry, a touch of black olive, and a saline, refreshing mid-palate
- Finish: long, slightly smoky, and well balanced with refined tannins
Vintage context and drinking window: 2016 is regarded as one of Bordeaux’s finest recent vintages, and this wine is now fully open and drinking beautifully. Drink now–2030.
Food pairings
- Grilled lamb chops with herbs and garlic
- Roast beef with a mushroom or peppercorn sauce
- Braised short ribs or hearty stews
- Mushroom risotto or earthy pasta dishes
- Aged cheeses such as Comté, Gouda, or mature cheddar
Why it stands out: Clos Marsalette’s terroir—gravelly gravels with a marine-influenced subsoil—gives the wine a distinctly mineral backbone that remains harmonious with its fruit core. The combination of precise fruit, subtle oak integration, and a saline finish makes this 2016 a refined, cellar-worthy Bordeaux red that pairs confidently with substantial dishes while remaining approachable in its youth.