Chateau Marsau Cote de Francs Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Marsau Cotes de Francs with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Marsau is owned by the Chardonnier family, who are also the principals in the large negociant house CVGB. Through CVGB, and Dourthe, they own numerous vineyards in various Bordeaux appellations in the Left Bank and in the Right Bank, as well as in Pessac Leognan. The Chardonnier family purchased Chateau Marsau in 1994. Later, Mathieu Chardonnier bought the vineyard from his parents in 2017, keeping it in the family.

Chateau Marsau Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 14-hectare vineyard of Chateau Marsau is planted to 100% Merlot. The terroir is mostly deep clay. The vineyard is well situated in the appellation on a slope that is close to the peak of the plateau in the Cotes de Francs appellation with an elevation of close to 100 meters. The vineyard is placed next to forest land, which aids in the estate’s microclimate.

The vineyard is located just a bit northeast of the Francs village on the far eastern edge of the appellation. The vines are on average 35 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a density ranging from 5,000-6,5000 vines per hectare. In 2021, Chateau Marsau was certified as being 100% organic in their farming.

To produce the wine, vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks. The wines are aged in a combination of vessels that are on average, 40% in foudres, 25% new, French oak barrels with 5% of the vintage being aged in amphora for 12 months before bottling. However, those percentages are often adjusted to suit the vintage, for example, in 2017, no new oak was used. In most vintages, the annual production is close to 2,500 cases, although that can vary widely, depending on the vintage. There is a second wine, Prelude de Marsau.

The best vintages of Chateau Marsau are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Marsau, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Marsau is better with at least 2-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, this will help the wine fill out and soften while aiding in the development of the wine’s aromatic character.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Marsau offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-8 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Marsau with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Marsau is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Marsau is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Marsau is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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