Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012

92 / 100

Edward Ragg, The Wine Advocate

In 2012 there was no Reserve category of Marselan for Domaine Franco Chinois, but this wine should be considered alongside the later Reserve vintages, such as 2014. The 2012 Marselan has the deep purple color typical of this varietal crossing of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, there is abundant, mellowing Marselan fruit with typical damson, prune and blueberry aromas combining with tertiary notes of leather, mushroom and black tea and some lingering secondary vanilla and toast. This is full-bodied with some lifting soft acidity, chewy ripe tannins and an abundant core of black fruit. The primary fruit melds together with those mellowing tertiary notes that also marry well with the sweet and savory new oak. While the alcohol is showing slightly, this wine has relatively long length with an intense, savory finish. It has certainly evolved well and could even benefit from a further year or two in bottle.