| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Like next-door neighbour Latour, Léoville Las Cases produces a wine that people think of as a second wine, but isn't. Clos du Marquis is a wine of classed growth quality in its own right, produced from a 45 hectare vineyard on the other side of the road near to the vines of Léoville Poyferré, Barton and Talbot. Las Cases itself is situated in a walled vineyard alongside Latour overlooking the estuary. The second label of Clos du Marquis - "La Petite Marquise" is no longer produced so the "Petit Lion" label is now used for the less good fruit from both Lascases and Clos du Marquis.
Clos du Marquis 2025 is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc from a yield of 24 hl/ha. 13.6% alcohol. Ageing in 55% new oak.
The 2025 Clos du Marquis is a serious wine that will reward patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, crème de cassis, violets and burning embers, it's medium- to full-bodied, deep and layered, with bright acids and a chassis of ripe, powdery but abundant tannins. The blend this year is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.
The 2025 Clos du Marquis was harvested between September 8 and 20 at 24 hl/ha and matured in 55% new oak for a planned 16 months. This has a fragrant and intense bouquet, with just a hint of lavender suffusing the black cherry and blackcurrant scents, more blue fruit surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, with a powerful entry, quite precocious licorice-tinged black fruit. A little "heady" in style, I feel that the warmth of that summer comes through more here compared to the Las Cases. Drinking Window
2032 - 2050
Deep purple colour. Dark cherry and sweet plum come through on a seductive nose. The palate is rounded with juicy Cabernet fruit - this manages to have sheen but still show where it is from. Intense but never heavy, this is an impressively refreshing style despite its ripe core of fruit. Long, layered and very attractive, this should have broad appeal and age well in bottle.
Well framed, focused, textured and refined. Aromas of currants, dried herbs, baking spices and some bark. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Nice concentration that remains elegant and in control. Tight tannins. Lively finish.
Beautiful deep plum colour, so juicy and mouth watering, with a real energy and momentum, blueberry, cherry pit, love the powerful concentration and sense of lift through the palate, and things really grip as it opens and unfolds. 20hl/h, as with everywhere, 3.65ph, harvest September 8 to 24. 2032-2050.
The 2025 Clos du Marquis is a potent, brooding wine. A rush of dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, tobacco and scorched earth hits the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, and that very much comes through in the wine's savory character and structural profile. Lavender, mint, dried herbs and chocolate follow as the 2025 gains volume in the glass. There's a lot of wine here. I am looking forward to tasting this in finished form, given its considerable potential. 2030-2040
