
Hervé Duboscq became the owner of a plot of seven hectares called Château HAUT-MARBUZET in 1952. He resurrected the vineyard and gave rise to a wine of its own style, which immediately charmed many experts. In 1962, his son Henri joined him in order to help him reach the only goal, which is precious to the Duboscqs, the “glory of Haut-Marbuzet”. After buying the neighbouring vineyards, as well as pockets, which were originally the result of the Mac-Carthy’s parcelling out, the vineyard attained an area of 66 hectares in 2005.
At the same time, the Duboscqs bought the chateaux Chambert-Marbuzet, Tour de Marbuzet and Mac-Carthy. All three are crus Bourgeois of Saint-Estephe.
The greater part of the vineyard of Haut-Marbuzet is made up of a gravelly topsoil and a clay-limestone subsoil that contains iron. The Graves wine owes its name to its soil, which contains gravel of various size. The gravel stores the sun’s heat during the day and at nightfall, it emits the heat back to the grapevines. The gravel is deposit from the Gironde river. It forms a series of slightly sloping terraces. The high density of plantation is immediately visible in the vineyards. On average, there are 9,000 vines per hectare. High-density planting ensures an equal yield with lesser grapes per vine, but better quality grapes. At Haut-Marbuzet, this high density also increases the competition between the grapevines and encourages a deep root system : « the typicality of the terroir lies at a depth of four meters ».
The deep rooting system of the grapevines as well as the banishment of chemical herbicides best reflect the characteristics of this terroir. The vineyard of Château Haut-Marbuzet is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The strong presence of Merlot gives the wine a smooth and mellow taste. It complements the austere notes of Cabernet Sauvignon with its opulence, charm and seduction.
The characteristics of Haut-Marbuzet are mostly defined by its wine-producing methods.
The grapes are harvested once they are very ripe, then destalked. The maceration time is very long. Owner Henri Duboscq remains committed to using traditional materials, like concrete vats. They preserve the natural yeasts of past wines. Henri Duboscq says that he likes the idea that each year, the new yeasts revive the old ones, and the old influence the new.
The Duboscq were among the first to harvest overripe grapes. The wine is then matured in new oak barrels. Here, too, Haut-Marbuzet was among the first to use this production technique. All of these practices complete the characteristics of the terroir. They influence the color of the wine, its structure, its body, and finish.
Henri Duboscq often speaks of his love of unctuous wines, feminine wines that have fine, woody scents, with soft and ripe tannins. From this point of view, the wine of Haut-Marbuzet clearly stands apart from the classical wine of Saint Estèphe which is more virile, austere and astringent.
Tasting notes
Haut-Marbuzet shows a dark and intense color and a delicous bouquet of red and black fruit aromas, violet, pepper and coconut nuances. On the palate, the wine is rich and unctuous, with fine and peppery tannins that support the solid and fresh texture.
Review:
"Black and blue fruit, walnuts, gravy, vanilla, praline and cigar box on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Balanced, layered and polished with a fleshy texture. Harmonious, with elegance and intensity. Beautiful finish. Wow. Drink from 2025."
- James Suckling (January 2022), 96 pts
Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
20 months in French oak (only about a third of that is new oak) and for 20 more months in bottle before release
Our winemaking "style" is solely determined by this place or terrior we call "Paradigm." Winemaking is agriculture when you own your vineyards and are able to farm them to promote the very best Earth will give you. All of our selections of wines are made from five varietals on the estate. Every wine is 100% farmed and grown by us.
Complexity in our wines supported by luscious fruit and acidity is our hallmark. Our efforts during harvest and barrel cellaring concentrate on maintaining the freshness from the first day we handpicked each vineyard block. Simple winemaking protocols are employed while crucial “timing” oriented winemaking decisions rule each day.
This wine is deeply pigmented with ruby/garnet color. First sniff is Oakville Cabernet all the way. Nice layers of ripe berry and cherrylike fruit with a matching complement of toasty French Oak from an assortment of Coopers and different barrel ages. Gorgeous across the palate with a silky yet dense mouthcoating impression. Ripeness is key and the result is a wine with perfect balance and flow - just plain delicious. It’s a big, beautiful wine now but has tremendous aging potential. — Heidi Barrett
Ferren Chardonnay Volpert Vineyard is 100 percent Chardonnay.
At the end of Taylor Lane outside of the coastal village of Occidental lies Volpert Vineyard. With the Pacific Ocean in sight, this vineyard resides at the far western edge of the West Sonoma Coast AVA. As such, this may be the source of our most high-toned and mineral laden wines. Owned by the Volpert family and farmed organically by Greg Adams, these five acres of heritage clone Pinot noir and Chardonnay are at the absolute cutting edge of Sonoma Coast viticulture.
Review:
Aromatic and distinctive, with a hint of smoked sea salt up front. Offers flavors of pear, yellow apple and peach at the core, with lime zest and herbal accents of lemon verbena, lemon balm and honeysuckle, plus a touch of fresh ginger. All of the flavors reverberate with fresh acidity and cardamom details on the finish. Drink now through 2038.—M.W."
- Wine Spectator (May 2025), 95 pts