Marsau Cotes de Francs 2022 Pre-Arrival

Marsau is 20 km east of Saint-Emilion, off the beaten trail of Bordeaux’ famed estates. It stands right at the intersection point between wine civilization and rural life. It is a small vineyard of 12 hectares, within an estate of slightly over 20. The vines are cradled between meadows and woodland.

Marsau’s terroir is an island of clay. Because of this unique clay terroir, Marsau is planted exclusively to Merlot.

According to Anne-Laurence, vigneronne, there are a few factors that made a defining difference at Marsau in 2022 :
- Being organic since 2018 (certified since 2021), she believes, brings cumulative benefits to the vines physiology, and encourages deeper root systems (crucial in 2022)
- In 2019 a no till farming approach was implemented. After 4 years, the cumulative benefits of it were visible. Not ploughing helps the soil develop more microbial life, which provides the vines’ roots with more nutrients, but also helps the soil better retain water.
- No ploughing means more grass covering the soils, which is encouraged by not mowing. A covered soil is very significantly fresher than a bare soil. It invites more morning dew, and better retains humidity.
- The vines are trimmed only twice (vs common practice of every 2 to 3 weeks) : very early summer, and the day before harvest (to facilitate pickers work – 100% manual harvest). Not trimming for the whole summer helps the vine stop its vegetative growth earlier in the season, and focus its energy on its fruits sooner than she would otherwise. This, combined with organic farming, has brought forward picking dates, and enhanced freshness in the fruits.
- Picking dates : Anne-Laurence is convinced that the earlier you pick a grape – within its window of maturity – the more transparent the expression of the soil. The later you pick with that same window of maturity, the more dominant the fruit expression. Her pursuit of expressing the place calls for an early picking. That was especially true in 2022, a vintage that was crafted below the surface of the soil rather than above it, for it is the soil’s qualities that helped the vines resist the extreme weather of the vintage.

Vinification was simple, as always. No sulfur added until after malo. Very soft extraction during the first half of fermentation. No extractions after. Rather low temperatures (27°). Press wine was of great quality, and was incorporated in the blend. Last but not least, at Marsau, 2022 completes a transition toward foudres, which now account for 80% of the elevage. In the end, 2022 shines as the most accomplished Marsau to date, as is illustrated by critics’ ratings, highest ever.