Chateau Haut-Marbuzet has produced wine in Bordeaux since the 18th century. Only since 1952, however, when the remarkable Herve Duboscq acquired the vineyard, has Haut-Marbuzet really ratcheted up quality. Duboscq, who at nine years old still couldn't read, propelled himself into the wine business and by 1950 he was the largest exporter of Bordeaux to London. He began to do business with Haut-Marbuzet when it still belonged to the previous owner. When the property went up for sale, Duboscq quickly jumped at the opportunity and expanded further, purchasing several of the surrounding properties.

The result is a 61 hectare vineyard in St. Estephe, planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Chateau Haut-Marbuzet wines are unusually accessible in their youth thanks to their ripe tannins and early sweetness, but they retain the concentration and structure to age. They can also be flamboyantly exotic, with sweet berry flavors, lavish new oak spiciness and a sensual, fleshy texture.

Herve Duboscq's son, Henri, is now the owner and winemaker at Chateau Haut-Marbuzet. Along with his own sons, Bruno and Hugues, he oversees the production of the eponymous Grand Vin as well as the second wine, Chateau MacCarthy. Their hard work was rewarded in 1994 after being classified as one of nine Cru Bourgeois Exceptionales.