Château Sérilhan: Tasting & Drinking
The wines of Didier Marcelis, whether under the label of Château Sérilhan or Château German-Marbuzet, certainly have a very particular style. The colours are dark, the textures rich, and the palates are underpinned by a handsome amount of extracted tannin. They are certainly substantial wines, although they will not be to everybody’s taste. The structure and concentration might be too much for some.
In my opinion the wines are of good quality; they maintain the perfume of the commune, and have plenty of impact and substance. And they have acidity and cut to balance it all. For the terroir they are very approachable, fresh and bright. This is a Cru Bourgeois property punching above its weight, and if the style appeals – as indeed it does to me – then the wines are certainly well worth the money.
Since first visiting the property, more than a few years ago now, I have done my best to keep track of the most recent releases. The 2019 vintage is undeniably one of the best, although the wines made here in 2020, 2018 and 2014, the latter a vintage in which St Estèphe faired much better then the rest of the Médoc, are also of top-notch quality. The 2017 and 2015 vintages are also worth a punt, 2012 exceeded expectations, while 2013 was a good effort for the vintage, although as with all 2013s this is not a wine to spend any time tracking down.
As noted in my profile, there was no 2021 vintage, and the property remains in a state of limbo, hopefully awaiting a buyer with the same energy and drive as the outgoing Didier Marcelis. (12/2/13, updated 23/7/23, 10/12/23)
