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.
After a relatively early budburst that followed the wet and mild winter, the coolness of May delayed the flowering and brought the dates of 2014 back around the averages of the past ten years. June and July were punctuated by stormy spells but the latter half of July was sunnier and hotter for the cluster closing and the colour change, improving the potential of development for phenolic compounds in the grapes. The fine weather then settled in from 15th August with mild temperatures that maintained good acidity levels. Then the month of September was among the hottest and sunniest of the decade, beneficial to the positive hydric stress that would bring smoothness to the tannins developing in the skins and pips. The careful mastery of the yield, vigour and early de-leafing all ensured the grapes remained perfectly healthy, making it possible to pick each grape variety at optimum ripeness.
The 2014 Clos du Marquis, a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, has kept that same level of opulence that was observed when it was in barrel; it has layers of blackberry, raspberry coulis, incense and iris emerging from the glass whilst maintaining superb delineation.
The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry. Graphite-infused red and black fruit on the front palate whilst the back is adorned with just a hint of blue fruit that lends this a more feminine allure.
There is lovely balance here, fresh and focused with a touch of graphite borrowed from over the border in Pauillac.
This is an excellent Clos du Marquis that will give 20 years of pleasure.
Awards
17/20 BETTANE & DESSEAUVE
90/100 DECANTER / STEVEN SPURRIER
93/100 FALSTAFF / PETER MOSER
95/100 JAMES SUCKLING
93/100 JEANNIE CHO LEE
16.5/20 JEAN-MARC QUARIN
92/100 JEB DUNNUCK
93/100 LP GUIDE
16.5/20 REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE
92/100 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER / JEFF LEVE
16.5/20 THE WINE DOCTOR / CHRIS KISSACK
91/100 VINOUS / ANTONIO GALLONI
92/100 WINE ADVOCATE / NEAL MARTIN
94/100 WINE ENTHUSIAST / ROGER VOSS
17/20 WEIN GABRIEL / RENE GABRIEL
17/20 WEINWISSER
91/100 WINE SPECTATOR / JAMES MOLESWORTH
17/20 VINUM
VIVINO 4.2
