Clos du Marquis

History of Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis was created in 1902, drawing its roots from the "Petit Clos" that once adjoined the Château de Léoville, the historic residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. It was in this context that Clos du Marquis came into being, in a vineyard separate from the plots of Château Léoville Las Cases. At the time, the objective was to make the most of the distinct terroirs, offering a quality alternative to the grands crus while remaining close to the richness and structure of the wines of Saint-Julien.

With roots anchored in the Delon estates, a historic family of the Médoc, Clos du Marquis is the fruit of a winemaking expertise passed down through generations. Initially regarded as a second wine, it quickly gained its own identity and a unique reputation. Thanks to the care provided by the technical team of Léoville Las Cases, Clos du Marquis has reached a level of quality comparable to the Troisièmes Crus Classés, even rivalling the great names of the region.

Today, this cuvée is recognised for its balance, its ageing potential, and its sophisticated style. In tribute to the women who contributed to the estate's history, a new cuvée, La Petite Marquise, was created from young vines, adding a touch of refinement and modernity to the range.

Terroirs and Vines of Clos du Marquis

Located in the Saint-Julien appellation, the Clos du Marquis vineyard benefits from a unique and advantageous position. It extends over approximately 45 hectares, just 500 metres to the west of the Enclos de Léoville Las Cases. This vineyard rests on Quaternary gravels, ancient and fine soils that greatly contribute to the quality and typicity of the wines produced here. At 20 metres above sea level, on the Saint-Julien plateau, the soils are composed of humic podzols on a base of sandy-clay gravels, promoting natural drainage and greater homogeneity.

The historic forestry of the region endows the vineyard with a significant amount of organic matter at the surface, adding a unique complexity to its wines. In terms of composition, the vineyard is planted with 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, giving Clos du Marquis its characteristic balance and structure. The combination of these grape varieties, grown on soils with more pronounced water stress, produces wines of great complexity with exceptional ageing potential.

Harvesting is often later than at neighbouring vineyards, due to the slower ripening of the grapes on this specific plot. Unlike the Enclos, which benefits from the warmth reflected by the Gironde, Clos du Marquis evolves in a slightly cooler environment, contributing to a more gradual and controlled ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking at Clos du Marquis

The winemaking at Clos du Marquis is based on a rigorous and precise approach, aimed at revealing the typicity of its terroir. Manual harvesting allows for a meticulous selection of berries, in order to guarantee consistent quality across every vintage. Once harvested, the grapes are carefully destemmed before undergoing a temperature-controlled fermentation, which preserves the aromas and extracts a fine tannic structure.

The vinification is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, allowing for optimal management of the fermentation. After this crucial stage, the wine is transferred to oak barrels, a portion of which are new, to ensure a perfect harmony between the wood and the wine. This method contributes to refining the tannins and adding a subtle complexity, while maintaining the balance and elegance of the wine.

The technical team at Léoville Las Cases carefully supervises each stage of the winemaking process, combining tradition and innovation to preserve the authenticity of Clos du Marquis. Through this commitment, the wine expresses the full richness and balance of Saint-Julien, with a velvety texture and an ageing capacity that delights lovers of great Bordeaux crus.

The Cuvées of Clos du Marquis

Le Clos du Marquis

The leading wine of the Saint-Julien appellation, Clos du Marquis is renowned for its elegant and structured character. Its wines display great aromatic finesse, marked by aromas of ripe dark fruits, notes of cedarwood and a hint of liquorice. On the palate, it reveals a silky texture, supported by supple yet powerful tannins, which give it an excellent capacity for ageing.

Thanks to its blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Clos du Marquis harmoniously combines structure and length on the palate. On tasting, this wine stands out for its complexity and balance, characteristics typical of the Saint-Julien appellation. It can be cellared for several decades, during which it will develop aromas of leather, tobacco and undergrowth, a testament to its exceptional ageing potential.

La Petite Marquise

La Petite Marquise is the cuvée created to celebrate the estate's young vines, while preserving the exceptional quality of Clos du Marquis. Sourced primarily from the Clos terroirs, this wine possesses a subtle and charming character, perfect for earlier drinking. La Petite Marquise is distinguished by its freshness and elegance, with a blend in which Merlot plays a greater role, bringing suppleness and roundness.

This second wine, light and expressive, reveals notes of red fruits and flowers, with a fine and velvety tannic structure. Perfectly balanced, it represents a delicate tribute to the women who shaped the history of the estate, with a more accessible profile than Clos du Marquis, while offering a complexity and depth worthy of the greatest wines of Bordeaux.

Saint-Julien, a flagship appellation of the Médoc in Bordeaux, is renowned for its red wines of great finesse and longevity. Certain vintages stand out in particular for their exceptional quality, offering powerful, elegant and complex wines. Among the finest vintages, one finds years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, which are true benchmarks for lovers of wines with ageing potential. More recent years are no exception, with standout vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, all acclaimed for their balance and ageing potential. The years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 also stand out for their richness and complexity, continuing to make Saint-Julien an unmissable reference in the world of wine.

The Deuxièmes Crus Classés of 1855 constitute a prestigious category, bringing together iconic estates that often rival the premiers crus in quality. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both located in Margaux, as well as Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, enthusiasts will appreciate the wines of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the celebrated Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Do not miss Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, as well as the unmissable Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. 

Clos du Marquis is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Saint-Julien appellation, offering a unique and refined alternative to the grands crus of the Médoc. This 45-hectare vineyard, carefully cultivated and vinified by the Delon family and the team at Léoville Las Cases, is a true model of finesse, structure and elegance. Its wines embody the typicity of Saint-Julien, with an impressive ageing capacity and an aromatic profile rich in nuance. Whether through the sophistication of Clos du Marquis or the enchanting softness of La Petite Marquise, the estate offers wines of impeccable quality that will captivate enthusiasts and connoisseurs in search of an exceptional tasting experience.