I continue to just love this terroir. The 2019 Clos Du Marquis brings beautiful richness and depth with the purity and elegance of the vintage. Cassis, smoked black cherries, tobacco, gravelly earth, and spice are just some of the nuances, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, dense mid-palate, serious, almost chewy tannins, and a great finish. It's not for those looking for instant gratification and demands a good decade of bottle age.
94+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)
The 2019 Clos du Marquis is another cuvée from the Delon family that’s smaller than usual this year, as fully 20% of the vineyards that inform this bottling are in various stages of replanting, with the objective of bringing the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon vines up to more than 70%. Exhibiting aromas of inky cassis, plums, incense, wood smoke and spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with lively acids, beautifully powdery tannins and a supple, more immediately charming profile than its big sibling across the street, Léoville-Las Cases.
94 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)
The 2019 is an exuberant, plush Clos du Marquis packed with inky, dark fruit. All the signatures of Saint-Julien and this estate are all amplified in the glass. Licorice, lavender, spice and mocha develop, adding gorgeous layers to this decidedly extroverted Clos du Marquis. I haven't always been thrilled with how Clos du Marquis ages, but for drinking over the near and medium term, the 2019 is positively stellar.
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2022)
Made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Clos du Marquis is deep garnet-purple colored. It strides boldly out of the glass with warm cassis, blackberry preserves, and ripe, juicy plums, leading to hints of cardamom, cumin seed, and chocolate box with a waft of camphor. Medium to full-bodied, it offers up plenty of rich, ripe black fruits with a grainy texture and spicy lift on the finish.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (May 2022)
Shows steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry notes that form the core, with enough depth to absorb the apple wood and mesquite notes that line it, while a taut iron note drives the finish. Features lively savory and tobacco notes that add energy through the finish. A bit rigid in terms of structure, but that's the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038.
93 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2022)
So much gravel and dark-fruit character with raspberries and blackcurrants, as well as currant leaf. It’s medium-to full-bodied with very fine, rounded tannins and a bright finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot and 7% cabernet franc. Drinkable now, but even better in 2024.
93 points, James Suckling (Mar 2022)