Vieux Chateau Mazerat, 2016, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, Chateau Teyssier

Vieux Château Mazerat is a small 5-hectare Bordeaux estate owned and operated by JCP Maltus. From the sensational 2016 vintage, this is a rich and thoroughly modern expression of St-Émilion composed of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. Eminently enjoyable in youth but has the potential to cellar for at least 20 years with no trouble.

Deep in color with smoky vanilla bean, black plum with a whip of licorice on top, this wine is rich, full bodied and intense. There is concentration, depth and freshness. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc and the fruit comes from a single lieu-dit.

97+ points Jeb Dunnuck

Located just to the east of Angélus and bordering Canon, the 2016 Vieux Château Mazerat is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc brought up in 80% new oak. Huge blackcurrant, smoke, and barbecue notes along with some hints of meat, licorice, and spice all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, fleshy, meaty effort. It displays plenty of underlying minerality, some charcoal, and gravelly minerality, building tannins, and a long finish.

95 points Wine Advocate

A blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc aged in 80% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Vieux Chateau Mazerat rocks up with nonchalant, bold, expressive scents of baked black cherries, plum pudding and baked blueberries with touches of molten chocolate, star anise, cardamom, cast iron pan and tapenade plus a waft of balsamic. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, the voluptuous fruit is framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and laden with exotic spices.

92 points James Suckling

A very intense wine with a rich, ripe dark-plum core, as well as chocolate and very rich, ripe dark peaches. There’s a riper edge to the full-bodied palate with plenty of extract, depth and drive. Some chew at the finish. A little extracted. Needs time. Try from 2023.