The history of Château Haut-Marbuzet dates back to 1825, when the Mac Carthy family, descendants of Irish Jacobite emigrants, acquired several plots of vines in the Saint-Estèphe region on the left bank. However, the true renaissance of the estate began in 1952, with the acquisition of the original 7 hectares by Hervé Duboscq, a self-taught wine merchant. Without agricultural training, he took on the challenge of reviving this once fragmented terroir. Gradually, with the help of his son Henri, he reconstituted the former Mac Carthy estate, acquiring other neighbouring plots.
Henri Duboscq, with his flamboyant and visionary character, joined his father in the 1960s. Together, they made Château Haut-Marbuzet an estate renowned for the quality of its wines, rivalling the best classified growths of Bordeaux. Château Haut-Marbuzet was classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003, thus consolidating its reputation. Today, Henri's sons, Bruno and Hugues Duboscq, continue to perpetuate the family legacy by bringing a touch of modernity, notably with the construction of a new winery in 2017.
The terroir of Château Haut-Marbuzet is one of the most prized in Saint-Estèphe. Its 76 hectares of vines stretch across Günzian gravel soils resting on a clay-limestone subsoil, ideal for viticulture. The exposure to the Gironde estuary creates a unique microclimate, balancing heat and humidity, perfect for grape ripening.
The vineyard is planted with a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), followed by Merlot (40%) and a small proportion of Cabernet Franc (10%). The vines, averaging about 30 years old, are cultivated with a high density of 8,500 vines per hectare. This high planting density favours the production of small grapes, concentrating the aromas and structure of the wine. Cultivation is carried out respecting tradition, with particular attention to limiting chemical inputs, thus promoting a sustainable approach to the vineyard.
The vinification process at Château Haut-Marbuzet is artisanal and meticulous. The harvest is carried out manually by a team of about a hundred people, selecting only perfectly ripe grapes. A second selection is made at the entrance of the winery, thus guaranteeing the optimal quality of the grapes used.
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, in concrete and stainless steel, allowing perfect control of temperatures and maximising aroma extraction. Château Haut-Marbuzet distinguishes itself by its bold use of 100% new oak barrels for ageing its wines. This technique, initiated by Henri Duboscq, softens the tannic power typical of Saint-Estèphe wines, while bringing a characteristic roundness and smoothness.
The wines are aged for between 15 and 18 months, with a blend of new wood from different French forests, carefully selected for each vintage. This expertise gives Château Haut-Marbuzet wines a unique personality, combining charm and elegance from their youth, with remarkable ageing potential.
Château Haut-Marbuzet produces two main wines, both representative of the estate's exceptional style:
Château Haut-Marbuzet: The estate's first wine, it is made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small proportion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine is distinguished by its roundness, opulence and silky tannins. It is known for its ability to seduce from its youth, while possessing notable ageing potential (10 to 15 years, or even longer for great vintages).
Château Mac Carthy: The estate's second wine, produced from the youngest vines. It is accessible earlier than Château Haut-Marbuzet, with a fresher and fruitier style, but retaining a beautiful tannic structure. This wine is ideal for drinking in its early years, offering excellent value for money.
In addition to these two cuvées, the estate also produces the wine of Château Chambert-Marbuzet and that of Château Tour de Marbuzet, two neighbouring properties acquired by the Duboscq family.
Here is a selection of the most remarkable vintages of Château Haut-Marbuzet, to discover to enrich your cellar or for immediate pleasure: 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1996, 1995...
These vintages demonstrate Château Haut-Marbuzet's ability to produce high-quality wines capable of improving with time.
In addition to Château Haut-Marbuzet, the Saint-Estèphe appellation and the Médoc region are full of other prestigious wine estates. Here are some suggestions for lovers of great Bordeaux wines: Château Montrose, Château Cos d'Estournel, Château Calon-Ségur, Château Lafon-Rochet, Château Meyney...
Château Haut-Marbuzet is much more than just a wine estate. It is the fruit of a fascinating history, an exceptional terroir and unique expertise passed down from father to son. Its wines, seductive from their youth and capable of ageing beautifully, are a must for any lover of great Bordeaux wines. Don't wait any longer to discover or rediscover the cuvées of Château Haut-Marbuzet and enrich your cellar with one of the greatest names in Saint-Estèphe.