Clos du Marquis

The name of Clos du Marquis, created in 1902, was inspired by the Petit Clos adjacent to the Château de Léoville, residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. The Clos du Marquis is produced from top terroirs of the Saint-Julien Appellation that were not exclusively part of the old Domaine de Léoville cadastre. These terroirs are located slightly to the west and are surrounded by prestigious Classified Growths, particularly Seconds Crus Classés of Saint-Julien and Pauillac : Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande... The Clos du Marquis offers a fine expression of the Saint-Julien character : structure, complexity, harmony, distinction and ageing potential.

2021

Wine Advocate 91-93: The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a lovely wine, offering up aromas of cherries, burning embers, dark berries, loamy soil and truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine that's rather deep and serious, reflecting low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a blend dominated by 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. Lest anyone underestimate it on the strength of the challenging vintage alone, by the numbers it contains a higher concentration of polyphenols than either the 2019 or 2020 vintages.

James Suckling 95: There’s so much graphite on the nose, with blackcurrants, blueberries and lots of red currants. Full- to medium-bodied with focused and poised fruit and tannins and a long, flavorful, silky finish. Drink after 2026.

Vinous 92: The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a potent, heady wine. Blue fruits, lavender, licorice, pencil shavings and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This is classic Saint-Julien in bearing. A wine of substance and class, Clos du Marquis is quite impressive in this vintage, opening beautifully over time.

Decanter 93: Supple, ample and generous, this is a lovely Clos du Marquis with an intensity and liveliness straight away, the effects of strong selection giving this a concentrated core. Tannins are prominent but fine and velvety, coating the mouth in a chalky, dry texture but ripe not astringent. I love the fruit forwardness and intention here, but this also has tension and linearity, driving in one straight line from start to finish with a vein of minerality underneath - liquorice and graphite giving a saltiness on the tongue. Feels confident and sauve. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Yield of 30hL/ha. 3.69pH. Ageing in 50% new barrels.

2023

Wine Advocate 91-93: The 2023 Clos du Marquis is a rather serious, structured wine, evocative of cherries, dark berries and kirsch, framed by a touch of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy but structured, it's a taut, concentrated wine that will reward some patience.

James Suckling 95-96: This offers beautiful blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity that adds tension and freshness to the mid-palate. It’s full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins. Long finish. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. What will be better between 2022 and 2023?