Clos Du Marquis 2019 (1.5L)

94-95 JS / 93-95 WA / 93-95 VM / 92 DE

So bright and vivid with crushed blackcurrants, blackberries and some tar. Full-bodied and focused with lots of fruit, yet the tannins are tight and polished. Sweet tobacco and fresh mushrooms. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot and 7% cabernet franc.- James Sucklin

The 2019 Clos du Marquis is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot, harvested between the 21st of September and 9th of October. It is aging in French oak barriques, 50% new. The alcohol is 14.1% with a pH of 3.62 and an IPT of 79. Displaying a deep purple-black color, the nose is a little reticent to begin, but with just a little coaxing, it soon opens out to show off impressively flamboyant notes of blackberry preserves, baked plums and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of cinnamon toast, Darjeeling tea, licorice and camphor plus a hint of wilted roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate layers in all of these exciting mineral sparks with with the energetic, fresh black fruits, supported by rock-solid, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and earthy. This a very polished and sophisticated Clos du Marquis!- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

The 2019 Clos du Marquis was picked from 21 September to 9 October and matured in 50% new oak. It has a deep and quite penetrating bouquet: blackberry, hoisin intermingling with cedar and light pencil shaving scents. It becomes noticeably richer with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins that frame the vivid blackberry and wild strawberry fruit laced with orange sorbet. There is a citric freshness towards the end of this accomplished Clos du Marquis. Excellent.- Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Inky purple colour and straight onto intense, concentrated black fruits on the attack. The terroir for Clos de Marquis is a little further back from the river than Las Cases, and a little more susceptible to water stress, but it has kept its freshness and plump character to its black cherry and blackberry fruits. Tannins are chalky and tight, cradling the fruit and giving backbone and frame to the wine. 3.6pH, pretty low which no doubt emphasises the austere edge, but by the mid palate things have softened and opened. A yield of 40hl/ha. 50% new oak.- Jane Anson, Decanter