Clos du Marquis 2009

The nose has an attractive red fruit perfume lovely and fresh. The palate though is sweet with a lush mix of mainly black fruits although there are some red, strawberry and mulberry at the back. The layers give complexity and the red fruited influence brightness on the finish. Drink 2020-2040.

Not strictly speaking the second wines of Léoville-Las-Cases (it's made from different vineyards), but often regarded as such, Clos du Marquis is another opportunity for drinkers to touch the garment of greatness without paying the high prices. This is savoury and complex, with violet aromas, plumskin and blackberry fruit and a backbone of almost Italianate acidity. 15+ years.

Black red, smoky nose with deep, rather discreet fruit, great purity, quite reserved, extremely elegant. Drink 2014-20.

Rich yet firmly structured this is a very classic St.-Julien that's generous and polished with so much energy driving the long plush finish. Delicious now, but should hold for many years. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

Clos du Marquis is being positioned by Jean-Hubert Delon as a separate single vineyard wine rather than Leoville Las Cases' second wine. The logic is simple. It has come from the same vineyard for over twenty years, and is not a true second wine in the sense that it is not made from Las Cases' discarded cuvees. The 2009 Clos du Marquis (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) came in at 13.75% alcohol. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue along with sweet notes of creme de cassis, great purity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and terrific texture as well as length. It should evolve for 20-25 years. (Tasted once.) Dirnk 2010-2035.

Tasted at Chateau Leoville Las-Cases. The Clos du Marquis 2009 has a wonderful vibrant, floral bouquet packed full of crushed violets, a touch of cassis, blueberry and blackberry jam all with fine definition. Opulent and ravishing. The palate has a silky smooth entry, very fine velvety tannins that belie that tannic backbone underneath. This is a serious Saint Julien with great persistency on the finish. Superb. Tasted November 2011.

Tasted at the château. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot with 7.6% vin de presse, delivering 13.75% alcohol and a pH of 3.70. The Clos du Marquis has a sexy, quite opulent and very pure bouquet with lascivious red-berried fruits, vanilla, blueberry and a touch of cedar. The palate has a seamless entry, very focused and beautifully balanced, glides across that palate, filigree tannins, sensuous and silky towards the finish. Very alluring, but perhaps just missing a little delineation and edginess towards the finish. Still, this Clos du Marquis is as impressive as usual. Tasted March 2010.