Clos du Marquis

In the glass

Aroma: cassis, plum, graphite, dried herbs, cedar spice

Palate: dark cherry, firm Cabernet structure, elegant mid-palate, mineral length

A cuvée in its own right rather than a simple second wine: structured Saint-Julien Cabernet with its own distinct terroir personality from western parcels of the estate, offering outstanding value relative to the grand vin.

What it pairs with

• Roasted duck with cherry and herb reduction
  Fruit richness and acidity of the wine match the sweetness of duck with its cherry glaze.
• Grilled entrecôte with Bordelaise sauce
  Classic Médoc pairing where Cabernet structure meets the bone marrow richness of a Bordelaise.
• Beef and root vegetable daube
  The wine's firm tannins and dark herb register work beautifully with slow-cooked beef stew.

How to serve Clos du Marquis

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Roasted duck with cherry and herb reduction, Grilled entrecôte with Bordelaise sauce, Beef and root vegetable daube. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

First produced in 1902, Clos du Marquis was long mistaken for the estate's second wine but is officially recognised as a distinct cuvée from specific western parcels of the Léoville-Las Cases domain. It embodies the Saint-Julien appellation character in its own right.

1. 1902: Clos du Marquis first produced as a distinct bottling from western estate parcels
2. 2007: Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases introduced as the true second wine, clarifying Clos du Marquis's separate identity

Facts

Producer

Château Léoville-Las Cases · visiting guide

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (5%)

Classification

Saint-Julien AOC

Oak

French oak barrels, approximately 60% new, 18 months

ABV

13.5%

Price

€70-130 at retail

Drinking window

8-25 from vintage

First vintage

1902

Frequently asked about Clos du Marquis

Tags