Frank Smulders, graduated from the Hotel Business School in
Maastricht (the Netherlands) and is now professor at the
Wijnacademie. In 1992 he became Master of Wine, the first and
still the only Dutchman to do so. Master of Wine (MW) is the world's
highest-level degree in wine knowledge. The Institute of Masters of
Wine is located in London (UK), and there are only 230 members
worldwide. The exam takes four days with three blind tastings of
12 wines and five theoretical exercises.

Frank Smulders tasted the wines of Château Maresque and gives here his opinion:

White: 10% Len de L'el - 45% Mauzac - 45% Sauvignon
Len de L'el (or Loin de Loeill) gives a delicate smelling wine. Mauzac gives delicious dry wines. The addition of Sauvignon is also quite popular for dry white wines in Gaillac.

Tasting notes: Nice, golden pale colour. Pure, fresh balanced nose in which modest ripe fruit is overwhelming - very pleasant. A full taste, which develops a supple, fluid structure. The acid is quite low, giving a velvety texture to the wine with ample length. A well made, friendly and tasty wine that is already drinkable or will keep until 2004.

Red: 35% Braucol, 35% Duras & 30% Syrah

From the red grapes used in Gaillac, the Duras is maybe the oldest. It gives much colour and alcohol to the wines with fine tannins, rounded, with a long finish. Braucol (also named Fer Servadou) is from the cabernet family. It gives a distinctive wine, strong with good colour, earthy with aromas of black fruit.

Tasting notes: Youthful purple colour with good intensity. Good nose in which the soft ripe fruit immediately takes the upper hand. In the mouth it first manifests a ripe friendly structure with sultry, ripe, jammy fruits ending with tasty well presented tannins giving the wine a finishing bite. Technically very well made, clear, precise and balanced.

Drinkable now. Not for aging too long - until 2005.

Thomas: 35% Braucol - 35% Syrah - 15% Merlot - 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting notes: Intense, almost sombre purple colour. Full and ripe nose in which the fruit is still beneath the surface - still a little closed with a hint of pepper. In the taste a nice structure and a good balance between strong, ripe and velvety tannins and nice acids. Fruit is here more present than in the nose and well supported by the tannins, giving a nice and long finale.

Now still a bit dry, will keep developing until 2008

Elevé en fûts de Chêne : 70% syrah - 15% Merlot - 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes: Intense deep purple colour. Very open and attractive nose. Intense fruit (black prunes, cherries) well balanced use of wood and tons of caramel and vanilla. Soft start and texture, good use of wood has made the wine softer. Lots of ripe fruit (berries). Good elegant structure, well balanced, long finish with still somewhat loose tannins. Because of it's elegance and balance it is already drinkable for lovers of full bodies young wines. Keepable until 2010.