Clos du Marquis 2009

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

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.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau. 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.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

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.)

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

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.

robert_parker0

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. A curious performance from Clos du Marquis. Here, the 2009 is a little subdued on the nose compared to its peers: blackberry, graphite and cedar - floral aromas developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush forward entry. It is very harmonious, slightly lower in acidity than other wines in the flight, but with a pleasing pure finish of blackcurrant, bilberry and a dash of white pepper. The length is impressive, but it needs more tension. There was a touch of reduction that seems to distract the wine. Tasted January 2013.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

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.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(a blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20 % merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; pH 3.7; IPT 62; 13.7% alcohol; 25% new oak) Dark ruby. Pure strawberry and blackcurrant aromas soar from the glass. Enters fairly large and soft, with a pretty violet note lifting the ripe blackcurrant, spicy plum and chocolate flavors. Even though there's a good bit of merlot here, the high quality of the cabernet sauvignon in '09 gives this plenty of Saint-Julien typicity. This time around, I do think that the merlot has added much-needed charm, conceded Delon.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

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.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of black raspberry, licorice and minerals. Sweet, rich and suave, with sound acidity and a lightly herbal character intensifying its seamless dark berry flavors. Not hugely deep or nuanced but delivers a lot of flavor and finishes with ripe, dusty tannins that will not get in the way of tasting this wine early.