Clos du Marquis 2012

James Suckling

This is a soulful Clos du Marquis with currants, blackberries and hints of earth. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A fascinating earthy undertone.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted blind at the Bordeaux 2012 Southwold tasting. The 2012 Clos du Marquis has a very intense bouquet, the more fruit-driven of all the Saint Julien 2012s with layers of black cherries and cranberry fruit, an undercurrent of autumn leaves and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition: smooth and very harmonious, quite intense on the entry and yet without that long sustain on the finish. That does not matter too much, because what comes before is very precise and pure, the class of the terroir evident from start to finish. Tasted January 2016.

Wine Enthusiast

The vineyard, across the road from Léoville-las-Cases and under the same ownership, is producing grand wines. This latest release has a powerful structure, dense fruits and layers of tannins. Black fruits and dark chocolate contrast with the freshness at the end. A wine to age, this should be just approaching drinkability by 2027.

VertdeVin

The nose is elegant, precise and reveals a fine concentration, a fine relative richness and power. There are notes of pulpy raspberry/ boysenberry and more lightly of pulpy but fresh blackcurrant combined with fine touches of violet, toasted almond, fine graphite, discreet caramelisation and a subtle hint of saltiness. The palate is fruity, juicy and shows a certain silky flesh, gourmandize, silky substance, tension with finesse, a positive bitterness, a certain slight richness, a little airiness in the texture. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/fresh blackberry, strawberry and, more slightly, blackcurrant, combined with touches of fresh berries, fresh violet, plum blossom, liquorice and fine hints of toasted almond/caramel. Nice work on the bitter taste and chewiness on the finish/persistence. Good length.

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch