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Clos du Marquis 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Léoville-Las Cases

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Tasting Notes

Now positioned as a totally separate vineyard and a real clos (enclosed walled vineyard), this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from Jean-Hubert Delon is a beauty. Creme de cassis notes intermixed with some vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers jump from the glass. Full-bodied and powerful (nearly 14% natural alcohol), this is a generously endowed, rich wine that was first made in 1902. The 2009 should drink well for 20-25 years. Readers need to think of it as a true classified growth, although technically it is not.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (199), March 2012

The 2009 Clos du Marquis is tightly wound on the nose, gradually unfurling to reveal blackberry pastilles, boysenberry, pencil shaving and subtle mint aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, good weight in the mouth, and crisp acidity. Fresh and vibrant with a gentle grip on the finish that perhaps would benefit from more persistence. Otherwise this is very fine. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. 2022 - 2038

92
Neal Martin, vinous.com, March 2019

Raspberry and wild currant on the nose. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, pretty finish. Plenty of currant and mineral character. Builds on the finish. Tannic.

89/92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2010

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Clos du Marquis gives up notes of warm cassis, mocha, plum preserves and tobacco with a touch of Mediterranean herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is solidly structured with firm, chewy tannins backing up the muscular fruit core, culminating in a mineral-laced finish. 2019 - 2026

91
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2019), March 2019

Like next-door neighbour Latour, Léoville Lascases produces a wine that people think of as a second wine, but it isn't. Clos du Marquis is a wine of classed growth quality in its own right, produced from vines on the other side of the "enclos" near Leoville Poyferré. Indeed, this is the equal of most 3rd, 4th and 5th Growths and has been an outstanding performer for many years. Lascases is now producing a new second wine called le Petit Lion from their young vines, which will re-enforce the image of Clos du Marquis as a stand-alone property. Firm, quite solid, structured, a serious St Julien that will need time to evolve, Cedary and classic. Well built and muscular.

91
Farr Vintners, November 2009

The nose has an attractive red fruit perfume lovely and fresh. The palate though is sweet with a lush mix of mainly black fruits although there are some red, strawberry and mulberry at the back. The layers give complexity and the red fruited influence brightness on the finish. Drink 2020-2040.

90/93
Derek Smedley MW, April 2010

Not strictly speaking the second wines of Léoville-Las-Cases (it's made from different vineyards), but often regarded as such, Clos du Marquis is another opportunity for drinkers to touch the garment of greatness without paying the high prices. This is savoury and complex, with violet aromas, plumskin and blackberry fruit and a backbone of almost Italianate acidity. 15+ years.

94
Tim Atkin MW, April 2010

Black red, smoky nose with deep, rather discreet fruit, great purity, quite reserved, extremely elegant. Drink 2014-20.

17
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2010

Rich yet firmly structured this is a very classic St.-Julien that's generous and polished with so much energy driving the long plush finish. Delicious now, but should hold for many years. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

95
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, March 2019
Read more tasting notes...

Clos du Marquis is being positioned by Jean-Hubert Delon as a separate single vineyard wine rather than Leoville Las Cases' second wine. The logic is simple. It has come from the same vineyard for over twenty years, and is not a true second wine in the sense that it is not made from Las Cases' discarded cuvees. The 2009 Clos du Marquis (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) came in at 13.75% alcohol. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue along with sweet notes of creme de cassis, great purity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and terrific texture as well as length. It should evolve for 20-25 years. (Tasted once.) Dirnk 2010-2035.

91/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

Tasted at Chateau Leoville Las-Cases. The Clos du Marquis 2009 has a wonderful vibrant, floral bouquet packed full of crushed violets, a touch of cassis, blueberry and blackberry jam all with fine definition. Opulent and ravishing. The palate has a silky smooth entry, very fine velvety tannins that belie that tannic backbone underneath. This is a serious Saint Julien with great persistency on the finish. Superb. Tasted November 2011.

92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, December 2011

Tasted at the château. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot with 7.6% vin de presse, delivering 13.75% alcohol and a pH of 3.70. The Clos du Marquis has a sexy, quite opulent and very pure bouquet with lascivious red-berried fruits, vanilla, blueberry and a touch of cedar. The palate has a seamless entry, very focused and beautifully balanced, glides across that palate, filigree tannins, sensuous and silky towards the finish. Very alluring, but perhaps just missing a little delineation and edginess towards the finish. Still, this Clos du Marquis is as impressive as usual. Tasted March 2010.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.