Clos du Marquis 2009, Château Léoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien - MAGNUM - Parker 91

Winemaker and vineyard : The Clos du Marquis, created in 1902, finds its origin in the Petit Clos adjacent to the Château de Léoville, home of the Marquis de Las Cases. The Clos du Marquis comes from the great terroirs of the Saint-Julien Appellation which were not systematically part of the cadastre of the old Domaine de Léoville. These terroirs are located slightly further west and are surrounded by prestigious Classified Growths, including Second Growths of the Saint-Julien and Pauillac appellations: Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande... The Clos du Marquis thus perfectly expresses the typicality of Saint-Julien: structure, complexity, harmony, distinction and aging potential.

Tasting : Now positioned as a totally separate vineyard and a real clos (enclosed walled vineyard), this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from Jean-Hubert Delon is a beauty. Creme de cassis notes intermixed with some vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers jump from the glass. Full-bodied and powerful (nearly 14% natural alcohol), this is a generously endowed, rich wine that was first made in 1902. The 2009 should drink well for 20-25 years. Readers need to think of it as a true classified growth, although technically it is not. robertparker.com (23.12.2011)

Service : Serve at room temperature with a pheasant.