| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Like next-door neighbour Latour, Léoville Las Cases produces a wine that people think of as a second wine, but isn't. Clos du Marquis is a wine of classed growth quality in its own right, produced from a vineyard on the other side of the road near to the vines of Leoville Poyferré. Las Cases itself is situated in a walled vineyard alongside Latour overlooking the estuary. The second label of Clos du Marquis - "La Petite Marquise" is no longer produced so the "Petit Lion" label is now used for the less good fruit from both Lascases and Clos du Marquis.
Clos du Marquis 2024 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from a yield of 32 hl/ha. 12.9% alcohol. Ageing in 50% new oak.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that attained 12.9% alcohol, the 2024 Clos du Marquis unwinds in the glass with notes of cassis, iris and pencil shavings, followed by a medium-bodied, taut and incisive palate with good depth and persistence. It's a serious wine, but it will require patience.
The 2024 Clos du Marquis was cropped at 32 hl/ha between September and 25 October 10. It matured in 50% new oak barrels for 16 months. This has an expressive bouquet with blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents that lend it Margaux-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with a citric entry thanks to the acidity, edgy tannins and more black fruit laced with cedar and graphite toward the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle. This is slightly leaner, but it maintains focus. Drink: 2028-2042
Bright purple colour. Wild hedgerow and brambly fruit form a complex nose that plays between sweet and savoury, together with notes of clove and cinnamon from wood spice. The palate is bright and fresh but not tart, the fruit giving energy and the acid adding high tone notes without diluting the fruit. Sinewy and sharp, an etched set of tannins and bright al dente fruit linger on the finish with well judged wood smoke.
Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls to reveal notes of juicy blackberries and raspberries, leading to an undercurrent of black currants, violets, and menthol with a touch of bay leaves and wet slate. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers racy red berry flavors and great tension, framed by approachable, grainy tannins, finishing chalky.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. pH 3.62, IPT 74, 32 hl/ha. Aging 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. 7.6% Press wine.
The 2024 Clos du Marquis is a very pretty, aromatic Saint-Julien. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, white pepper and slate give the 2024 an attractive upper register to match its mid-weight, nervy personality. There is a bit of dryness on the finish that hopefully will be resolved with élevage. 2026 - 2036
A very fragrant, mineral-driven nose. This has some depth but remains poised and refined with a thin gauze of fine, chalky tannins that dissolve throughout the palate. Long and almost ethereal. Spot-on balance and poise, the terroir showing through in a delicate, transparent vintage like this one. Slightly lighter than previous years but a more “intellectual” wine. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.
