1974 Chateau Hostein Marbuzet

[Alex Bridgeman]

1974 was a shockingly bad year for wine across pretty much all of France, so I did not have high hopes for this bottle. However, I have been pleasantly surprised.

Deep brown with a red tone; good intensity of colour. Attractive nose of caramelised meat juices and stewed rhubarb. Medium bodied on the palate, with modest levels of fruit, firm tannins but a perfect level of acidity that keeps the wine in focus and balanced. There is a lovely late palate showing of sweet oranges that I find typical of mature claret. Powerful aftertaste grabs the attention while the acidity makes the mouth water, but this is quickly replaced by a dry and woody finish from the empty tannins that lasts for a long time. Overall, this is lightweight on the fruit, but makes the most of the fruit flavours that are available.

Not a wine to seek out, but considering I paid £11 for this, I am pleased with the result and would buy a few more at that price.

84/100. Drunk 15 April 2012.