Château Haut-Marbuzet, Saint Estephe 2019

Saint-Estèphe, one of the Médoc's six villages, has long been known for producing wines with structure and longevity, and Haut-Marbuzet is among its most celebrated. The winemaker, Henri Dubosq, isn't shy about his love of new oak, ageing the wine for over 18 months in new barrels to bring out the richness and silky texture he's after. The result? A benchmark old-school claret with all the hallmarks of autumnal Saint-Estèphe charm - think black cherries, smoky coffee, and a hint of toasty oak. But don't mistake it for being too austere; there's a generosity here, with supple tannins and a smooth, velvety finish that lingers just long enough to make its point. Classic, yes, and with a bit of style.

Drinking well now, but with plenty of potential to age. It suits strongly flavoured dishes match perfectly; beef or lamb stews come to mind but vegetable dishes in rich sauces would also be good, and perhaps a classic Toulouse or duck cassoulet.

It was Henri Dubosq, son of Hervé who purchased the estate in 1952, who firmly established the château's pedigree and reputation. Things are now run, in turn by Henri's sons, Hugues and Bruno. From the outset the family were keen to develop their own style. They preferred less muscular and more approachable wines than the firmer structured styles of other Saint-Estèphe estates. It must be said their way of doing things very much struck a chord and is at the root of the estate's success. Classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003, Haut-Marbuzet sits very comfortably alongside its more illustrious classed growth neighbours.