Clos Marsalette Rouge 2014

Vinification

Harvesting: By hand, into small crates to avoid bruising. Sorting before and after destemming. No crushing. The grapes arrive on a conveyor belt. Fermentation: In temperature-controlled wooden vats for 28-35 days depending on the vintage. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap).
Malolactic fermentation and ageing: In new oak barrels (up to 80%) on fine lees. Fining and filtering as necessary, depending on the vintage. Duration of barrel ageing: 15-18 months depending on the vintage.

Ageing

in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining

Vineyard

Terroir: Clay-limestone, clay-sand at the foot of the slope.
Vineyard area currently in production: 19.5 hectares (48 acres)
Grape varieties: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 50 years

Estate

Located in Martillac, in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, Clos Marsalette is jointly owned by Count Stephan von Neipperg and Didier Miqueu. This vineyard sits magnificently on gravelly soils deposited long ago by the Garonne. Offering a great diversity, the subsoil is composed of marine sediment from the Miocene and Pliocene epochs (5 to 15 million years ago) in the form of shelly sand with a bit of clay, fawn-colored sand, and multi-colored clay. Clos Marsalette's vineyard which covers an area of 12.30 hectares (for the red wine) plus 1.30 hectares (for the white wine) is also looked after expertly in order to produce a wine reflecting the typicity of this Terroir.

History

Members of the Franconian aristocracy with a long political and agricultural tradition, the Counts von Neipperg family line can be traced back to the 12th century. Representing some eight centuries of winegrowing and winemaking experience, today Count Stephan von Neipperg manages the 9 family-owned estates, 4 of which are in Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux: Château Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, Château Peyreau.

Tasting notes

Rich extraction, full intensity black cherry, dark fruit impact on the attack from a majority (55%) Cabernet Sauvignon together with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, could pull up a little more on the finish to reflect the elegance of the vintage. Still, this is rich and round and has ageing potential. Good quality for a lesser known estate from the Canon la Gaffelière stable. 50% new oak.