This morning, Domaines Delon, owners of St Julien ‘2nd growth’, Ch Leoville Las Cases, have released an exceptional Clos du Marquis 2016.
In our minds, this is potentially the most majestic Clos du Marquis produced to date and one that confirms its place amongst the elite wines of St Julien. It is hard to imagine how the 2015 could be improved on but the Delons have achieved this. The 2016 simply has it all. A wine of immense precision and detail, perfectly poised in every way and balancing the power and elegance of an outstanding vintage. It was one of the most memorable wines that we tasted on our recent visits and would expect it to reach its drinking window between 2025-2040.
Created in 1902, Clos du Marquis originated from the ‘Petit Clos’ adjacent to the Château de Léoville, home of the Marquis de Las Cases. It is derived from the great terroirs of the Saint-Julien appellation that were not part of the former Léoville estate. These are located further west and surrounded by some of the most prestigious second growths from Saint- Julien and Pauillac including Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Clos du Marquis thus displays typical Saint-Julien characteristics: structure, complexity, balance and great ageing potential.
“I would never have believed I could encounter such richness at this address. Some real life here. Racy and rich and lots of black fruit.” 17 points, Jancis Robinson MW
“perhaps one of the most powerful that I came across in Saint Julien, certainly no shy retiring flower, yet it effortlessly manages to retain the precision and tension one expects from this cru.”93-95 points Neal Martin
At £470 per case of 12 and competing with some of St Julien’s most prestigious names, the Clos du Marquis is a wine that really delivers in 2016.
Clos du Marquis St Julien 2016
£470.00 per 12 bottles IB
£480.00 per 6 magnums IB
Shining purple colour. This wine highlights the outstanding success of St Julien this vintage. Full of deep blackforest fruits with hints of violets and liquorice. In the palate it has a delicious sense of depth with great volume and layered tannic structure. A bold and full style, balancing richness with a bite of lively freshness. A real feeling of class and tremendous length on the finish. Drink 2025-2040. 93-94 points, Goedhuis & Co
The 2016 Clos du Marquis was picked from 30 September to 19 October and consists of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, matured in 55% new oak. Yields came in at 40 hectoliters per hectare and the alcohol at 13.55%. The bouquet is very intense at the moment with small black cherries, incense, iris and a touch of shucked oyster shells. The palate is beautiful, perhaps one of the most powerful that I came across in Saint Julien, certainly no shy retiring flower, yet it effortlessly manages to retain the precision and tension one expects from this cru. There is a firm back bone here, but the tannins are so precise that you barely notice, while the aftertaste has superb salinity. This is a majestic Clos du Marquis, but it will require several years in the cellar. Drink Date 2025 – 2055. 93-95 points, Neal Martin
The clarity and beauty of this young red are brilliant, with blackberry, blueberry and mineral undertones. Full and racy. Long and wonderfully polished. Racy. Better than the 2015. 94-95 points, James Suckling
The 2016 Clos du Marquis is a striking Saint-Julien. Vibrant, nuanced and finely sculpted, it captures the essence of the appellation in its dark fruit and inviting personality. Freshly cut flowers, mint, berries and sweet herbal notes are all laced together in the glass. Medium in body and very classic in feel, the 2016 is showing very well today. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Sauvignon very much at center stage. 91-94 points, Antonio Galloni
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. 55% new oak. Exotically rich on the nose! I would never have believed I could encounter such richness at this address. Some real life here. Racy and rich and lots of black fruit. Richness but some structure too. Racy. 13.55% Drink 2023-2040. 17 points, Jancis Robinson MW