Clos du Marquis 2016, Château Léoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien - Parker 94

Winemaker and vineyard : Clos du Marquis, created in 1902, originates from the Petit Clos adjacent to Château de Léoville, home of the Marquis de Las Cases. Clos du Marquis comes from the great terroirs of the Saint-Julien Appellation that were not systematically part of the cadastre of the old Léoville Estate. These terroirs are located slightly further to the west and are surrounded by prestigious Crus Classés, notably Second Crus from the Saint-Julien and Pauillac appellations: Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande... Clos du Marquis thus perfectly expresses the typicity of Saint-Julien: structure, complexity, harmony, distinction and aging potential.

Tasting : Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Clos du Marquis has a very deep garnet-purple color and is a little broody to begin, giving way to notes of crushed blackcurrants and black cherries with touches of warm plums, pencil shavings, earth and new leather with a waft of yeast extract. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins, it has bold fruit matched by freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. robertparker.com (30.11.2018)

Service : Serve at room temperature (16-18°C), to accompany a milk-fed lamb.