The 2018 Château Martin captures the muscular, mineral-driven essence of Saint-Estèphe with exceptional approachability in a renowned vintage. Offering dark fruit, spice, and earthy undertones, it’s both a weeknight pleasure and a bottle worthy of a special meal.

Château Martin sits in the heart of Saint-Estèphe, the northernmost commune of Bordeaux’s Médoc, close to the Atlantic. The 25-hectare vineyard is planted largely to Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), with Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (8%), and Cabernet Franc (2%) rounding out the blend. Vines average 25 years and thrive in a terroir of clay-limestone with gravel and fossilized shells—soils that lend depth and freshness to the wine.

Jean-Marc Martin leads this family-run estate, owned since 1960. Commitment to authenticity and tradition drives the approach: mechanical harvests are followed by manual sorting for quality as they press forward with sustainable, conventional farming.

Mechanical harvests are followed by manual sorting for quality as they press forward with sustainable, conventional farming. The fruit undergoes traditional vinification in stainless steel tanks, with a maceration of about 25–30 days to extract color and structure. Aging takes place over 12 months in oak barrels, 30% of which are new, to balance fruit purity with subtle spice.

In the glass, the 2018 Château Martin leads with blackcurrant, blackberry, and black plum, layered with tobacco leaf, dried herbs, graphite, and a trace of dark chocolate. Notes of cherry, violet, and racy minerality lift the palate’s savory backbone, supported by fine tannins and a polished texture. The wine’s robust structure mingles with approachable, ripe fruit for a lengthy, satisfying finish. Decant before serving to reveal added aromatic complexity. Enjoy now–2035, with cold-weather meals, hard cheeses, or classic red meats.