Clos du Marquis 2021

The name of this wine, created at the beginning of the 20th century when the vineyard was planted, was inspired by the Petit Clos adjacent to the Château de Léoville, residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. Clos du Marquis is a historical brand by the Domaines Delon, a separate vineyard to Leoville Las Cases whose first vintage was released in 1902.

The creation of this brand was to allow a clear identification of two completely distinct terroirs. The situation remains unchanged today as the vineyard producing the Clos du Marquis is located on top terroirs of the Saint Julien appellation, surrounded by such prestigious Classified Growths as Léoville Poyferré and Léoville Barton.

The heart of the Clos du Marquis vineyard is 500 metres west of the famous walled enclosure of Léoville Las Cases known as the ‘Enclos’. It is made up of quaternary gravel that is older and finer than the Enclos gravel.
Most of its vines stretch over about 45 hectares (111 acres) with an average age of thirty years. The presence of organic matter in the top soil, due to the presence of a forest on this land in the past, brings a typical Saint-Julien style to the Clos du Marquis. The grapes ripen later in this vineyard than in the Enclos, the latter being warmed by the micro-climate of the nearby Gironde river.
This part of the vineyard, planted on the Saint-Julien plateau, 20 metres above sea level, is composed of humic podzol over sandy-clay gravel. The Clos du Marquis terroir is characterised by a greater regularity in the soil types as well as a higher hydrological sensitivity than the Enclos that possesses a natural drainage system thanks to the slope of the land and its proximity to the river.

This great Terroir so typically Saint-Julien has produced a great Clos du Marquis, with splendid concentration and a distinction worthy of the greatest wines of the appellation. A demonstration of gentle power combining sapidity and richness, offering a touch of sapidity on the finish.

(Credit: Domaines Delon)

"The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a lovely wine, offering up aromas of cherries, burning embers, dark berries, loamy soil and truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine that's rather deep and serious, reflecting low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a blend dominated by 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. Lest anyone underestimate it on the strength of the challenging vintage alone, by the numbers it contains a higher concentration of polyphenols than either the 2019 or 2020 vintages. Tasted three times." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (4/23/2019, Bordeaux 2018 Issue), Rating: (91-93)+

"The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a dark, sumptuous Saint-Julien. Strong Cabernet inflections give the Clos du Marquis its strong aromatic presence. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, tobacco and incense all reveal themselves with some coaxing. There are some slight rough edges in the tannins, but hopefully élevage can polish those. The 2021 is a fine and promising Clos du Marquis." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous (5/2022), Rating: (91-93)

"这应该是我第一次品鉴品丽珠达到14%的Clos du Marquis。舒畅悠扬的紫罗兰花香伴随着绵柔的莓果芬芳在味蕾上延伸，收尾时还泛着丝丝奶油蓝莓的甜美回甘。这款酒表现出的香气复杂度以及口中的浓郁度远远超出2021年份的平均水准，毫无疑问，是该年份梅多克非列级庄中表现十分出挑的选手。" - Alexandre Ma, Ratings: 92-93