2016 Clos du Marquis (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Crafted by the team at Chateau Leoville Las Cases, these highly rated vintages from Clos du Marquis boast rich and concentrated ripe red and black fruits layered over flinty graphite with elegant, complex tannins, some ready to drink now with over a decade of pristine aging, others benefiting from a few years of patient cellaring and all boasting the pedigree of the renowned Second Growth Chateau at a fraction of the price.

Created in 1902 as a second label of Leoville Las Cases, the unclassified Clos du Marquis has been bottled as a completely separate offering since the 1980’s, highlighting the unique characteristics of its distinct terroir just inland from some of the Medoc’s greatest vineyards. Across the D2 Route des Chateaux just west of the famed L’Enclos vineyard of Leoville Las Cases, the enclosed Petit Clos vineyard of Clos du Marquis is situated on St. Julien’s northern border near Pauillac and surrounded by Second Growths Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Located on the St. Julien plateau at around 20 meters above sea level, the 45-hectare vineyard is planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with about a third Merlot and a small amount of Cab Franc in an array of soils ranging from quaternary gravel over gravel-sand to gravel-clay subsoil with veins of compact clay, its proximity to the Gironde responsible for the diversity of soils and a unique microclimate that encourages ripening and protects the vineyard from frost. Ranging from the 93 pt. 2005 Clos du Marquis that’s “in a very attractive place today” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous to the 95 pt. 2014 described as “tight and polished” by James Suckling to the more recent 93 pt. 2020 that Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson calls “a brilliant Marquis,” these top scoring Clos du Marquis vintages reflect its lengthy evolution and ability to age gracefully, whether ready for the glass now or requiring time in the cellar.

Upon tasting the 93 pt. 2005 Clos du Marquis ten years after its release, critic Neal Martin wrote, “Cannot afford Leoville Las-Cases? Then you know where to come,” these top scoring selections from Clos du Marquis reflecting the estate’s rich pedigree and terroir and over delivering value for Bordeaux lovers and collectors of powerful Left Bank blends.

95JD

95JS

94WA

94V

94WS

From the considerable talents of the Léoville Las Cases team, the 2016 Clos du Marquis is made from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. This full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly elegant Saint Julien has the purity and balance that’s the hallmark of the vintage as well as loads of underlying structure and depth. Great notes of ripe black cherries, blackcurrants, spring flowers, and graphite all emerge from this beauty, which is going to be one for the ages. It will need 8-10 years of cellaring and keep for three decades.

95 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)

This has a very suave, fresh and upbeat feel overall, with freshly baked berry pastry and ripe raspberry, boysenberry and red-plum aromas in abundance. The palate has a superb array of rich, fresh and deeply fruited tannins that roll smoothly into the elegant, focused and perfectly balanced finish. Try from 2023.

95 points, James Suckling (Feb 2019)

Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Clos du Marquis has a very deep garnet-purple color and is a little broody to begin, giving way to notes of crushed blackcurrants and black cherries with touches of warm plums, pencil shavings, earth and new leather with a waft of yeast extract. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins, it has bold fruit matched by freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Nov 2018)

The 2016 Clos du Marquis was picked from September 30 to October 19. It has a generous, intense bouquet of blackberries, raspberry confit, cedar and light tobacco scents, representing a serious step up from the La Petite Marquise (as it should). The palate is rounded and quite sumptuous on the entry, and beautifully balanced, with a fine bead of acidity. This is a very fresh, tensile Clos du Marquis displaying superb precision on the finish and great persistence. Give it three to five years in bottle and then enjoy over the next 20 years, possibly more.

94 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Jan 2019)

This has a plush edge of warm tar and ganache that slowly melds into the core of steeped plum and cassis flavors as they move through, picking up smoldering charcoal and graphite notes along the way. A very grounded wine that will age nicely. Best from 2023 through 2038. 12,500 cases made.

94 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2019)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%

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$69.88

Compare At: $76.99

31 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 6

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