2017 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.

94JD

94WE

94JS

93WA

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The grand vin is the 2017 Clos Du Marquis, which is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc. This stunning wine lends credence to the idea that Saint-Julien was the sweet spot for the Medoc in 2017. Classic Cabernet cassis and blue fruit notes as well as ample minerality, violets, and chocolate notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully polished Saint-Julien that has ripe tannin, terrific balance, and a great finish. It’s going to have 25+ years of prime drinking.

94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2020)

Solid tannins come from the vineyard, giving this dense, concentrated wine with a powerful structure and blackberry fruits. The wine's future is assured, with richness, spice and fruitiness all coming together. Drink from 2023.

94 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2020)

Wonderful aromas of blackberries, flowers, violets and Indian spices. Medium to full body with extremely polished, tight tannins that interface well with the ripe fruit. Remains extremely long and focused. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Better after 2023.

94 points, James Suckling (Jan 2020)

Since 2007, the Clos du Marquis comes from an entirely different vineyard in Saint-Julien than the Leoville Las Cases, so it is not a second wine. And there was only a small amount of frost on the western edge of this vineyard in 2017. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Clos du Marquis is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and struts confidently out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants, warm blackberries and fresh black and red plums with touches of cigar box and bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, the palate is chock-full of zingy black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step.

93 points, Wine Advocate (Mar 2020)

The 2017 Clos du Marquis is dark, pliant and inviting. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, mocha, spice and licorice are all super-expressive in this wonderfully open, radiant Saint-Julien. Plush fruit and silky contours add to the wine's considerable appeal. Best of all, the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is such a beautiful and expressive wine.

93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2020)

A fresh, pure style, with violet and cassis aromas leading off, followed by a racy core of raspberry, blackberry and black currant fruit. Very well-integrated, featuring a deeply embedded structure and a singed apple wood note skirting along the edges. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035. 8,333 cases made.

93 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2020)

A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet colored 2017 Clos du Marquis springs from the glass with vivacious notes of crushed red and black currants, fresh blackberries, and violets, plus suggestions of underbrush and cedar. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and lively with soft, grainy tannins and just enough youthful red and black fruit expression, finishing with a skip in its step.

93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Dec 2022)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%

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$59.88

Compare At: $64.99

13 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 12

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