Clos du Marquis 2005

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Roberson’s Las-Cases vertical. A dark garnet core. The nose is youthful and very well defined with blackcurrant, a touch of truffle and pencil shavings, lending this a Pauillac-like personality. Gaining intensity in the glass, the ripeness really coming through with touches of honey and dried apricot. The palate is full-bodied with a dry, swarthy entry, good acidity, very closed and broody but there is great depth and vigour. The finish is a little abrupt at the moment: this is a Clos du Marquis that should not be broached for another 5-8 years. Tasted February 2011.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is a superb Clos du Marquis. Muted on the nose at first then notes of raspberry, black cherries, iodine. The palate is beautifully balanced ,a touch of spicy but with great weight and finesse. Cohesive, grippy tannins with a touch of oyster shell on the finish. Great persistency and complexity. Superb, long potential here. Drink 2010-2030. Tasted October 2007.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

An opaque, purple hue. A well-defined nose of black cherries, raspberry and like the Grand Vin with a touch of violets and a hint of brine. Lovely balance on the concentrated palate with firm grip and tannins. A little coarseness on the cedary, tarry finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2006.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

As usual, this estate’s second wine, the 2005 Clos du Marquis, is top-flight. Possessing more alcohol than the grand vin (13.45%), it offers gorgeous purity, plenty of red and black fruits, and a style similar to its more famous sibling. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The superb second wine, the 2005 Clos du Marquis, reflects the utter brilliance of the 2005 grand vin. It boasts an inky/ruby/purple color along with a sweet perfume of lead pencil, ripe cherries and black currants, and hints of earth and vanillin. Dense, chewy, fleshy, and full-bodied, this beauty will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and should keep for 15-20.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Clos du Marquis 2005 is evolving into a little beauty. It has an opulent, downright sexy bouquet with macerated dark cherries, briary, mint interlaced with candied orange peel that is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sturdy tannin cloaked in spicy red fruit, hints of red peppercorns and graphite infusing the finish that fans out gloriously. Yet everything remains tightly controlled thanks to the tight rein on acidity. Cannot afford Léoville Las-Cases? Then you know where to come.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Clos du Marquis 2005 is evolving into a little beauty. It has an opulent, downright sexy bouquet with macerated dark cherries, briary, mint interlaced with candied orange peel that is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sturdy tannin cloaked in spicy red fruit, hints of red peppercorns and graphite infusing the finish that fans out gloriously. Yet everything remains tightly controlled thanks to the tight rein on acidity. Cannot afford Léoville Las-Cases? Then you know where to come.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2005 Clos du Marquis is in a very attractive place today. Time has softened the tannins nicely, allowing the wine's radiant personality to really shine. Sweet tobacco, cedar, mint, dried flowers and dried cherry are all laced together in this expressive Saint-Julien. There is a bit of rusticity here, but all the elements are well balanced just the same.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full red-ruby. Superripe aromas of plum, mocha, coffee and spicy oak. Big, dry, broad and rich, with a chewy quality and noteworthy sweetness to the plummy flavor. This has more baby fat than the young 2006 but not quite as much detail or verve. Finishes quite broad, with major ripe tannins and lingering sweet fruit.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep red-ruby. Superripe but brooding nose offers black fruits and licorice, along with an almost exotic chocolatey element. Broad on entry, then large-scaled, ripe and quite full, with the impression of chocolatey ripeness carrying through in the mouth. The toothdusting tannins arrive late. Very long and impressive for this cuvee-and better than a second wine has any right to be.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full ruby-red. Brooding aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and flowers, showing the cool nights of the vintage. Then dense, solid and rather backward for this wine, with plenty of volume and a classic austerity to the dark fruit flavors. The substantial ripe tannins really spread out on the finish. A seriously built wine with very good aging potential, but this young sample is downright agreeable today next to its big brother Leoville-Las Cases. Looks to be a very strong vintage for this wine.