Chateau La Marzelle St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau La Marzelle St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the 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 La Marzelle History, Overview

Chateau La Marzelle dates back to at least 1821 in the St. Emilion appellation. The estate takes its name from one of its early owners, Edouard de La Marzelle.

The modern era of Chateau La Marzelle begins in 1956. That is because prior to that date, what we know of as Chateau La Marzelle was a part of two different vineyards, Grand Barrail and Chateau La Marzelle Figeac.

In 1956, Grand Barrail was detached from Chateau La Marzelle. In 1972 Grand Barrial was turned into a combination hotel and vineyard and by that time, Chateau La Marzelle was a stand-alone vineyard once again.

In 1998, Chateau La Marzelle was purchased by Jean Jacques and Jacqueline Sioen who invested time and money in rebuilding and renovating the estate. They were also busy increasing the size of their vineyards. At the time of their purchase, the vineyard had 13 hectares of vines.

The vineyard, wine-making facilities, cellars, and chateau were all in need of restoration at the time of the purchase. Since that time, Chateau La Marzelle has been completely renovated in the chateau, cellars, and wine-making facilities, changing out their remaining oak fermenters for stainless steel vats.

Chateau La Marzelle was one of the four, St. Emilion chateaux to formally sue and contest the results of the 2006 St. Emilion Classification as they were demoted. They were returned to the classification of Grand Cru Classe in the 2012 St. Emilion Classification. In 2008, they switched to 100% organic farming.

Chateau La Marzelle Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 21-hectare Right Bank estate has 17 hectares planted with vines. is planted to 75% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, which shows a moderate change in the vineyard, with less Merlot and more Cabernet. Located next to the famous Saint Emilion hotel, Grand Barrail, the terroir is a blend of gravel, sand, and clay soils.

However, the terroir varies as the vines are dispersed among different parcels, although the vineyard is mostly in one large block of contiguous vines. They have vines planted closer to Chateau Figeac with more gravel, while other plots have more clay. The vineyard is planted to a density of 5,600 vines per hectare for the older vines, while newer plantings are taking place and 7,150 vines per hectare. Chateau La Marzelle was certified biodynamic in 2018.

To produce the wine of Chateau La Marzelle, vinification takes place in truncated, stainless steel vats that range in size from 80 to 100 hectoliters. However, a small portion of the harvest is micro-vinified in 500-liter French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is aged in 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months.

The best vintages of Chateau La Marzalle are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 2005. It should be noted that starting with the 2015 vintage, the wines here are markedly better.

There is a second wine which is made from 4 hectares of declassified vines that are sold under the name of Prieure La Marzelle. There is also a third wine, Elle de La Marzelle. On average, slightly less than 5,000 cases of wine are produced in each vintage.

When to Drink Chateau La Marzelle, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Marzelle needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau La Marzelle is usually better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Marzelle offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau La Marzelle with Wine and Food Pairings

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

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

Prior to the 2014 vintage, the wines of La Marzelle had never been exciting. That all changed however when they brought in Jean Luc Thunevin as their consultant. It will be interesting to see how he and his team help to improve and develop Chateau La Marzelle over the next several vintages.

www.chateaulamarzelle.com