Clos du Marquis 2019

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2019 Clos du Marquis is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot, harvested between the 21st of September and 9th of October. It is aging in French oak barriques, 50% new. The alcohol is 14.1% with a pH of 3.62 and an IPT of 79. Displaying a deep purple-black color, the nose is a little reticent to begin, but with just a little coaxing, it soon opens out to show off impressively flamboyant notes of blackberry preserves, baked plums and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of cinnamon toast, Darjeeling tea, licorice and camphor plus a hint of wilted roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate layers in all of these exciting mineral sparks with with the energetic, fresh black fruits, supported by rock-solid, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and earthy. This a very polished and sophisticated Clos du Marquis!

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 2019 Clos du Marquis is another cuvée from the Delon family that’s smaller than usual this year, as fully 20% of the vineyards that inform this bottling are in various stages of replanting, with the objective of bringing the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon vines up to more than 70%. Exhibiting aromas of inky cassis, plums, incense, wood smoke and spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with lively acids, beautifully powdery tannins and a supple, more immediately charming profile than its big sibling across the street, Léoville-Las Cases.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2019 is an exuberant, plush Clos du Marquis packed with inky, dark fruit. All the signatures of Saint-Julien and this estate are all amplified in the glass. Licorice, lavender, spice and mocha develop, adding gorgeous layers to this decidedly extroverted Clos du Marquis. I haven't always been thrilled with how Clos du Marquis ages, but for drinking over the near and medium term, the 2019 is positively stellar.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Clos du Marquis is a bold, luscious Saint-Julien with plenty of up-front appeal to match its mid-weight structure. Blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, dark, spice and lavender add to a feeling of darkness. This easygoing Saint-Julien offers plenty of immediacy. The tannins are present, but they are also nicely enrobed by the fruit.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2019 Clos du Marquis needs a little more precision on the nose, dark berry fruit, cedar, touches of sage and crushed iris petals. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite pliant tannins. Gentle grip, but there is certainly structure evident here with quite a tannic finish. This will need time in the cellar. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2019 Clos du Marquis is very well defined, almost pixelated, on the nose of blackberry, briar, crushed stone and cedar. This is more floral than the barrel sample sent to my home. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, layers of black fruit laced with licorice and orange sorbet, and more grip and backbone toward the finish, which means, I suspect, that it will require longer in bottle. 14.10% alcohol.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2019 Clos du Marquis was picked from 21 September to 9 October and matured in 50% new oak. It has a deep and quite penetrating bouquet: blackberry, hoisin intermingling with cedar and light pencil shaving scents. It becomes noticeably richer with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins that frame the vivid blackberry and wild strawberry fruit laced with orange sorbet. There is a citric freshness towards the end of this accomplished Clos du Marquis. Excellent.