2018 Bourgueil, Les Marsaules, Domaine du Bel Air, Loire

The 2018 Les Marsaules has a gorgeous, seductive texture without heaviness - it really does draw you in with its ripe yet elegant style. You can expect savory, smoky notes, black fruit and black olive flavors. The texture is all cocoa powder-like tannins that coat the mouth. Considering it's a 2018 vintage, it's fresh and superbly balanced as the team picked relatively early compared to their neighbours, 23 September. The wine is made from the fruit of old vines before spending 30 months in barrels of 500 liters (second fill). It is a real success story.

93/100, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous (June 2022)