List of products by brand CLOS MARSALETTE
Clos Marsalette has quietly established itself among the more serious châteaux of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, underpinned by deliberately restrained yields of 22 hl/ha and the ambition of an owner whose name carries considerable weight across the Bordeaux vineyard.
A terroir of gravelly ridges in Martillac
Located in the commune of Martillac in the Gironde, Clos Marsalette extends across 14 hectares arranged over three distinct gravelly ridges — the croupes that are the hallmark of the finest Pessac-Léognan terroirs. Beneath the vines lies a geological patchwork of remarkable complexity: faluns (calcareous clay sands), tawny sands and variegated clays, all derived from Miocene and Pliocene marine sediments. This diversity of subsoil, combined with the excellent drainage afforded by the gravel-topped ridges, creates the conditions for wines of genuine definition and depth. The three buttes ensure varied exposures, allowing the estate to work with the natural contrasts of the site rather than against them.
A château founded in 1991 and transformed in 2002
Clos Marsalette was founded in 1991 by Comte Stephan von Neipperg, a name already synonymous with two of Saint-Émilion's most celebrated properties: Canon-La Gaffelière and La Mondotte. His arrival on the Left Bank was a statement of intent. In 2002, the château was comprehensively renovated — new vinification equipment was installed throughout — marking a qualitative turning point from which the estate has not looked back. Today, Clos Marsalette is co-managed by Comte von Neipperg and Didier Miqueu, whose combined expertise shapes both the viticulture and the winemaking philosophy. The grape varieties planted reflect the classic palette of Bordeaux: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for the reds, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for the whites.
Winemaking: discipline and precision
The estate's approach is defined above all by restraint. At 22 hl/ha, yields at Clos Marsalette sit well below the appellation average, concentrating the fruit and lending the wines a focus that belies the château's relatively modest profile. The 2002 renovation brought the winemaking facilities fully in line with the ambitions of the ownership, and the results are wines that speak clearly of their Pessac-Léognan origins: structured, precise, and built with some patience in mind.
The wines of Clos Marsalette
The château produces two colours under the Pessac-Léognan appellation:
- Rouge — built on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the red offers the gravelly backbone and dark fruit character typical of Martillac, with the structure to reward several years of cellaring.
- Blanc — a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the white brings the aromatic freshness and textural richness that have made white Pessac-Léognan one of Bordeaux's most compelling propositions for the cellar.
Why we have selected Clos Marsalette
At Halles Quercamps, we look for châteaux that combine a genuine sense of place with a clear winemaking philosophy — and Clos Marsalette delivers on both counts. The yields of 22 hl/ha speak to a commitment to quality over volume that we find all too rare. The pedigree of Comte von Neipperg, honed across some of Bordeaux's most demanding terroirs, brings a level of rigour that is evident in the glass. This is a château that rewards the curious: well-priced relative to its ambitions, yet firmly rooted in one of the Left Bank's most distinguished appellations. We recommend it to confirmed Bordeaux enthusiasts looking to explore Pessac-Léognan beyond the classified growths, and to those building a cellar with an eye for value and longevity. At the table, the red pairs beautifully with roast lamb or aged hard cheeses; the white is a natural companion to grilled fish or a fine chicken dish.
Discover all wines from this château
Browse the full range of wines from Clos Marsalette — both rouge and blanc — in the selection below.
