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 elevate 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.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 1902 — Clos du Marquis first produced as a distinct bottling from western estate parcels
- 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
- 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
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Decanter 92 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Clos du Marquis
What does Clos du Marquis taste like?
On the nose, cassis, plum, graphite, dried herbs, cedar spice. On the palate, dark cherry, firm Cabernet structure, elegant mid-palate, mineral length. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. 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.
When should I drink Clos du Marquis?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Clos du Marquis?
Roasted duck with cherry and herb reduction is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled entrecôte with Bordelaise sauce and Beef and root vegetable daube. Fruit richness and acidity of the wine elevate the sweetness of duck with its cherry glaze.
What grapes are in Clos du Marquis?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (5%). The wine is classified as Saint-Julien AOC.