Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2019: best 2027 to 2044.

vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Wine Advocate reviewed 2022201994/100
Decanter reviewed 2022201992/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

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.More wines for duck and goose →
  • Grilled entrecôte with Bordelaise sauce Classic Médoc pairing where Cabernet structure meets the bone marrow richness of a Bordelaise.More wines for steak →
  • Beef and root vegetable daube The wine's firm tannins and dark herb register work beautifully with slow-cooked beef stew.More wines for beef stew →

With cheese

Ossau-Iraty Our pick These Saint-Julien reds are Cabernet Sauvignon-led, full-bodied, with firm to high tannin, high acidity and cassis. INAO describes the cheese as firm and melting, salted without excess. Its syndicate suggests structured reds, naming South-West ones such as Madiran.

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. 1902Clos du Marquis first produced as a distinct bottling from western estate parcels
  2. 2007Le 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

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 match 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.

Tags

cabernet franc cabernet sauvignon cellar worthy dry firm tannin full body high acid merlot mood contemplative mood elegant occasion cellar occasion dinner party occasion special old world pairs with charcuterie pairs with game pairs with poultry pairs with red meat price premium still red value pick

Taste it where it is made: tastings near Château Léoville-Las Cases

Wine tastings and winery visits in Bordeaux (88) · Wine tours and day trips in Bordeaux (137) · Wine and cheese tastings in Bordeaux (25) · Wine tours by bike in Bordeaux (18)

See all 761 bookable experiences in Bordeaux

← Back to wines in Bordeaux