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 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.

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

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)

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