2020 Château La Marzelle

James Suckling - Primeur

“Tight and chewy with very pilished ans intense tannins. It's medium-to-full-bodies with a pretty center palate and a persistent finish. Could be one of the best I have from here.”

James Suckling

“Fresh plums, sweet currants and some dark chocolate to the nose. Juicy, medium-to full-bodied palate has lots of dark berry fruit to offer. Tannins are tight yet quite polished, following through to a long but subtle finish. A very solid St.-Emilion. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

Jancis Robinson - Primeur

“Dark, lustrous crimson. really interesting minerally life to the nose on this time. Flattering palate that seems really interesting, detailes and well balances. This should have a particularly long drinking window. Drink 2025-2045”

Yves Beck - Primeur

“Pourpre violacé. Très invitant ce bouquet qui se distingue par la finesse de ses nuances fruitées. Notes de mûres et de cassis. Caractère harmonieux et élégant en bouche. Le vin est fin, de bonne expression et parfaitement soutenu par des tannins aux grains fins. Finale fruitée et persistante. Quelle belle réussite ! 2025-2040 93-94/100”

Vert de Vins - Primeur

“Le nez est racé et offre un grain fin ainsi qu'une petite concentration. On y retrouve des notes de mûre fraiche, de cassis écrasé et plus légèrement de prune pulpeuse associées à une touche de fraise écrasée, de chocolat ainsi qu'à des pointes de vanille et d'épices douces. La bouche est fruitée, équilibrée et offre une bonne définition, de la fraicheur, de la minéralité ainsi qu'une bonne définition, un joli fruit charnu/généreux/juteux. En bouche ce vin exprime des notes de mûre pulpeuse/charnue, de prune pulpeuse/juteuse et plus légèrement de framboise associées à des touches de vanille, de myrtille écrasée, de toasté, de noisette toastée, d'amande ainsi qu'à des fines pointes de chocolat toasté. Bonne longueur. Les tannins son t bien menés.”

Jean-Marc Quarin

Magazine Vins et Gastronomie

“Robe grenat brillante, intense et limpide. Le nez est sur les petits fruits rouges avec des notes toastées et un boisé bien integré. L'attaque en bouche est franche et fraiche. Bel équilibre. Très grande qualité de tanins. Belle longueur.”

Bettane & Desseauve - Primeur

Jean-Marc Quarin - Primeur

“Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez intense, fin, fruité, épicé, pur et mûr. Moelleux en départ de bouche, très fruité, savoureux et un brin salin, le vin évolue caressant avec un léger relâchement en finale avant de repartir sur une bonne persistance aromatique, à la tannicité fine. Assemblage :80 % merlot, 15 % cabernet franc, 5 % cabernet sauvignon. Rendement : 35 hl/ha.”

Jeff Leve

“Flowers, oak, spice and sweet red fruits dominate the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, vibrant and silky, the round, supple finish leaves you with layers of espresso-tinted, silky, polished, soft, fresh, black and red fruits. La Marzelle continues to be an estate on the rise. Drink from 2023-2045.”

Jane Anson

“Understated but impressive, lovely depth of fruit, cocoa powder, chalky tannins, a little austere and serious but it works, with supple tannins, with nuance and waves of berry fruit flavour.”

Terre de Vins - Primeur

“Belle pulposité du nez, sensuel et crémeux, précis et dense. Netteté du jus, traçant et élancé, porté par une indéniable fraîcheur. Les tanins sont très fondus, l’ensemble est joliment digeste, élégant et élancé. Convivial, contemporain, on a envie de le partager. La Marzelle revient dans la course.”

Revue du Vin de France -Primeur

“profondément charnu, le vin prend un croquant floral (pivoine), sous tension. La belle dynamique pointue de la bouche ne fait pas perdre de vue la sucrosité de la texture. Ce saint-émilion au charme savoureux tire le meilleur parti de son sol.”

Alexandre Ma - primeur

“Tasting the silky smoothness of Château La Marzelle, as if a velvety piece of milk tofu were melting on your tongue. Even the most discerning of palates would find it difficult to resist its refreshing taste. While the fruit aroma of the 2020 vintage may not be as vibrant as the 2019, its gentle and light flavor is nonetheless remarkable. The delicate notes of hazelnuts and fried melon seeds never overpower the crisp taste of cherry juice, which can be fully appreciated after a brief period of aging. Just remember, this wine is a little reductive when first uncorked, so allow it to breathe for an hour before serving for the best experience.”

Wine Advocate - Primeur

“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 la Marzelle races out of the gate with vibrant scents of crushed black cherries, black raspberries and plum preserves, plus hints of rose oil, cinnamon stick and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits with a plush texture and just enough freshness, finishing long and fragrant.”

Forbes -Primeur

“From the Sioen proprietors, this includes coherent aromas of red and black fruit, and a little dank forest as well as cola and graphite. A taste that includes blackberry on the attack, cherries mid palate and slight anise on the finish. A seductively well balanced and well-integrated wine that provides a round, elegant mouth feel. Pair with steak tartare, lamb dumplings or even something as light as plaice.”

Vino Voice - Primeur

“From the Sioen proprietors, this includes coherent aromas of red and black fruit, and a little dank forest as well as cola and graphite. A taste that includes blackberry on the attack, cherries mid palate and slight anise on the finish. A seductively well balanced and well-integrated wine that provides a round, elegant mouth feel. Pair with steak tartare, lamb dumplings or even something as light as plaice.”

Markus Del Monego - Primeur

“Dark purple colour with violet hue and black core. Aromatic nose with distinct fruit, ripe plums and black cherries, hints of toasting aroma in the background. On the palate juicy fruit, ripe berries and dark stone fruit, ripe tannins and elegant acidity, good mouthfeel and length.”

Tom Mullen

“Aromas include forest, butter, menthol, red cherries and red plums. In the mouth still young but promising with soft tannins, an earthy mid palate and some mint on the finish.”

Adrian van Velse - primeur

“(14% Alkohol) Dunkles Rubin. Intensive, sehr dunkelfruchtige Nase, ein Vanilleeis mit warmen Beeren, wirkt kühl. Im Gaumen mit herrlicher Frucht, saftig, reiffruchtig, balanciert, zeigt eine schöne Balance von Frucht und Gerbstoff, im mittleren Gaumen mit einem leichten Durchhänger, zieht dann jedoch wieder an und endet im Abgang frisch und saftig auf schwarze Kirschen und feine Röstaromen. Dürfte früh Spass machen. 2026-2038 (April/Mai 2021)”

Falstaff - primeur

“Dark ruby colour with an opaque core and purple reflections. Restrained nose of subtle liquorice and candied violet, dark berry in the background, some vanilla and orange zest. Complex palate of juicy, black cherry, vivid tannins with a savoury finish, overall still youthful.”

Daniel Seriot - pRIMEUR

“Des arômes de fruits noirs, de cerises, de fines épices, et un élevage propre en arrière plan soulignent une olfaction bien ouverte. La bouche est élégante et veloutée, d'une agréable densité, et plus haute dans son milieu délicatement charnu et fruité. La finale est allongée, fraîche, velouté et expressive.”

Jeb Dunnuck - Primeurs

“The 2020 Château La Marzelle should check in with recent vintages and certainly appears to match the 2016, 2018, and 2019. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as beautiful purity in its blackberry fruits and notes of spring flowers, new leather, and violets, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, rounded texture, flawless balance, and outstanding length. I was able to taste two bottles of this, both showing well, with one possessing slightly more purity and finesse in its fruit and tannins.”

Antonio Galloni - Primeur

“The 2020 La Marzelle is bold, forward and juicy, and its explosive energy is absolutely compelling. The 2020 has maybe a bit less depth and structure than some previous years, but preserves all the charm that can make this Saint-Émilion so seductive. Pretty floral accents lift a core of red-toned fruit on the long, polished finish. Good potential. Tasted two times.”

Jeff Leve - Primeur

“Polished, soft, silky and fresh, the black and red fruits taste as good as they feel. Medium-bodied, silky, rich, ripe and fleshy, the fruits are fresh, round and polished. La Marzelle continues to be an estate on the rise.”

Decanter -Primeur

“A touch of reduction on the nose which keeps the fruit obscured at this point. Give it time in the glass, and you see the density and the carefully-constructed palate that lies underneath. Plenty of kick to it, this is architectural and needs time but has a silky texture and a ton of promise. Jacqueline Sioen is owner here. A yield of 35hl/ha. Tasted twice. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040 Jane Anson”

Peter SCHLEIMER -Primeur

“Rauchiges Bukett, Erdnüsse, rote Schoten, samtige, dichte Frucht nach Ribiseln und Himbeeren, ausgereift, bisschen Zimt; mittlerer Körper und Frucht, rote Früchte, ziemlich herbes Tannin, hinten etwas trocken, könnte länger sein.”

Matthew JUKES -Primeur

“A civilised nose is followed by a smooth, medium-weight, controlled palate which, in turn, rolls onto a brisk, tart nish. Nice shape. Well managed. And above all, this wine is enticingly delicious. I actively want to drink it (of course, I spit it out), but each sips hints at hidden depths and to quite honest, what I see on the surface is enough to catch my attention. The tannins are brutish, but they only arrive to clean up after the festival has long departed, so I can tell you that this is a super wine to roll the dice with. I think that this will be the consummate charmer around 2029/30. Please let me know it you agree! 17.5+/20”

Izak Litwar - Primeur

“80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% alcohol. The distinct nose of coffee beans and some freshly cut dark cherries, luscious and delicate fruit, and silky tannins are quite focused, vivid, and well-composed with a velvety texture. Subtle finish. Very catchy wine. 91-92p”

Neal Martin

“The 2020 La Marzelle has a nicely composed bouquet (far better than the 2018), with macerated red cherries, kirsch and light orange zest aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fleshly and quite tart, dovetailing into a white pepper tinged, slightly herbaceous finish that just deserves more complexity. Still, it should present 10-15 years' drinking pleasure. I warmed to it more on a second tasting.”

Georgie Hindle

“Clear and graceful, this has a nice core of really quite creamy strawberry and blueberry fruit.It's not as ripe or potent as many - more understated with a salty minerality and coolness to the overall expression. Tannins are fine and well integrated, still grippy but not so weighty. There is a lick of liquorice and clove that just sticks out above the fruit towards the finish but this is enjoyable. Nice purity - enjoyable.”

Jeb Dunnuck

“Ripe plums, blackberries, damp earth, and tabacco emerge from the 2020 Château La Marzelle. A medium to full-bodied, pur, balanced, elegant 2020. It shows the style of the vintage nicely with its balanced yet structured mouthfeel and it's going to benefit from a few years of bottle age.”