2018 Clos du Marquis

Description

96  James Suckling
” Dark fruit and blueberries with rosemary, tobacco and incense undertones on the nose. Very St.-Julien and classic in style and character. It’s full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. The palate is savory and balanced, leading to a long, flavorful finish. Very beautiful, refined fruit character to this with focus and polish.” (3/2021)

95+  Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Clos Du Marquis offers a brilliant nose of ripe black cherries, smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, and violet-laced aromas. These carry to a full-bodied, rich, concentrated 2018 with plenty of background oak, a juicy spine of acidity, rock star levels of concentration and mid-palate depth, and ripe, silky tannins. Given its tannins and acidity, it’s not for those seeking instant gratification, and a solid decade of cellaring is going to be warranted.” (3/2021)

93-95  Wine Enthusiast
“A beautiful black currant flavor and an immense background of tannins mark this wine is from a single parcel of the Léoville las Cases vineyard. The purity of the fruits and acidity is impressive.” (4/2019)

94   Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“The 2018 Clos du Marquis is so expressive, and frankly, delicious. In 2018 there is a bit more richness than typical, but that is 2018. A rush of inky dark fruit, graphite, lavender, spice, crushed rocks and smoke all race out of the glass. All the elements are so impeccably balanced. The 2018 spent 16 months on French oak, 55% new. It is one of the hidden gems in this vintage. I would give it a few years to soften, as the tannins are imposing.” (3/2021)

92-94  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2018 Clos du Marquis is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, with 13% press wine added back to the blend. Grapes were harvested September 18 to October 10, with yields of 35.5 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine has 14.5% alcohol. It will be aged in barriques, 55% new. The finished blend was put into barrels last December. Deep purple-black in color, it displays flamboyant scents of kirsch, crushed black cherries and warm cassis with hints of cinnamon stick, underbrush and chocolate box plus a waft of sandalwood. Full-bodied and built like a brick house with firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular fruit, it finishes long and spicy.”  (4/2019) Lisa Perrotti-Brown