Clos du Marquis 2015

Rich and dense, with a fresh beam of mesquite, savoury and tea streaking through the red and blackcurrant preserve flavours. Shows good brambly energy through the finish, revealing a tug of liquorice snap at the end. Best from 2020 to 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 10,000 cases made.

First made in 1902, this is a blend of various parcels, some close to Léoville Las Cases, others near Talbot. In this vintage a second wine, La Petite Marquise, was created, strengthening the identity of Clos du Marquis as a fine wine in its own right. Flamboyant and vibrant nose, with juicy blackcurrant fruit. Concentrated and velvety, it nonetheless has power and grip. Tannins are well integrated. Admirable depth of flavour; spicy and persistent finish.

Extremely perfumed with blackberries, plums and bark. Lemon-rind undertones. Full-bodied, creamy, velvety and voluptuous, yet focused and pinpoint. Intense dark-berry and chocolate flavours. Really well done. Drink from 2021.

Separate vineyard. Tasted blind. Very light nose. Dry and austere on the palate. Almost as though it were St-Estèphe. Fruitless. (JR)

Forward, generous, easy to drink charmer that is medium bodied, with a juicy, plum, cassis and olive tapenade character.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Fine black cherry, a hint of blackberry, a touch of nougat, fine herbal savouriness. Powerful, taut, subtle hints of liquorice, vivid tannins, chocolate touch on the finish, shows very good length, salty mineral nuances on the finish, an elegant overall impression.

Deep purple, saturated at the core, garnet glints at the rim. Clearly floral notes; the fruit profile sits between red and blue berries, with medium aromatic intensity. On the palate, textured with finely peppery acidity that provides good support; persistent and very well made.

Deep purple, dense at the centre, with garnet highlights at the rim. Pronounced floral notes; the fruit profile runs from red to blue fruits. Textured on the palate, with supportive, finely peppery acidity; persistent and very well crafted.

(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 39 hl/ha) Velvety, sweet, powerful bouquet: cassis, raspberry jelly, vanilla powder, mint. Balanced, fresh, medium-bodied palate with sweet fruit flavours, fine tannins, an elegant, silky structure, powerful, sweet aromatics, and a long, refined finish. 17/20 2020 - 2038

Sappy red and black fruits, good grip through the palate, enjoyable, ready to drink, slim and savoury, with nutmeg and clove spices giving a kick on the finish, good stuff. Definitely one to drink now, no need to wait.

The 2015 Clos du Marquis is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and it has a medium to deep garnet colour. Maturing notions of cigar box, forest floor and Chinese five spice leap from the glass, followed by a core of redcurrant jelly and plum preserves, plus a waft of leather. Medium-bodied, the palate is chewy and lively with a slight dip in the mid-palate, coming good in the end with a satisfyingly savoury finish.

It keeps winning us over with juicy fruit notes and a character that is both refined and intense. Delicious and typically Saint-Julien.

To make Clos du Marquis a wine in its own right, it now has its second wine. The grand vin shows a beautiful, complex nose. The wine is dense and supple, with a superb mid-palate and a very fine finish. 66% cabernet-sauvignon, 31% merlot, 3% cabernet-franc. It was aged in 50% new oak.

Inviting bouquet of good intensity, with floral and fruity notes and nuances of raspberry, blackberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, it is clear that this Clos du Marquis is a worthy representative of the 2015 vintage. It is rich, creamy and silky. Fine balance between the charm of the tannins and the freshness of the structure. A harmonious wine that brings together charm, vigour and breadth.

Dark, intense and vibrant colour. Moderately aromatic nose, fine, fruity, floral and supple. Supple on entry, with a melting mid-palate and perfumed character; the wine tightens a little on the finish, showing a touch of austerity for the 2015 vintage. Good length.

92–94. Barrel Sample. This serious wine has dark tannins and powerful concentration. It comes from a parcel of the Léoville-Las Cases vineyard that is nurtured separately. Blackberry and juicy fruits are right at the fore, giving great freshness along with a firm, dense structure.