Clos du Marquis

History of Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis was created in 1902, taking its name from the “Petit Clos” that once bordered Château de Léoville, the historic residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. Clos du Marquis was established in a vineyard separate from the plots of Château Léoville Las Cases. At the time, the aim was to make the most of its distinct terroirs, offering a quality alternative to the grands crus while retaining the richness and structure of Saint-Julien wines.

Rooted in the estates of the Delon family, a longstanding Médoc family, Clos du Marquis is the product of winemaking expertise passed down through generations. Initially regarded as a second wine, it quickly established its own identity and distinctive reputation. Thanks to the care taken by the Léoville Las Cases technical team, Clos du Marquis has reached a level of quality comparable to that of the Third Growths, even rivaling the region’s most celebrated names.

Today, this cuvée is recognized for its balance, aging potential, and sophisticated style. In tribute to the women who have 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 enjoys a distinctive and advantageous setting. It covers approximately 45 hectares, just 500 meters west of the Enclos de Léoville Las Cases. The vineyard lies on ancient, fine-textured Quaternary gravel soils that contribute greatly to the quality and distinctive character of its wines. At 20 meters above sea level on the Saint-Julien plateau, its soils consist of humic podzols over sandy-clay gravel, promoting natural drainage and greater uniformity.

The region’s wooded past has left the vineyard with abundant organic matter in its topsoil, adding distinctive complexity to its wines. The vineyard is planted with 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, giving Clos du Marquis its characteristic balance and structure. Together, these grape varieties, grown on soils subject to more pronounced water stress, produce wines of great complexity and exceptional aging potential.

Harvest often takes place later than in neighboring vineyards because the grapes ripen more slowly on this particular plot. Unlike the Enclos, which benefits from heat reflected by the Gironde, Clos du Marquis lies in a slightly cooler setting, allowing the grapes to ripen more gradually and evenly.

Winemaking at Clos du Marquis

Winemaking at Clos du Marquis follows a rigorous, precise approach designed to reveal the character of its terroir. Hand-harvesting allows meticulous selection of the grapes, helping ensure consistent quality in every vintage. Once picked, the grapes are carefully destemmed before undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation, preserving their aromas and extracting an appealing tannic structure.

Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing optimal control of the process. After this crucial stage, the wine is transferred to oak barrels, some of them new, to achieve a harmonious balance between oak and wine. This method helps refine the tannins and adds subtle complexity while maintaining the wine’s balance and elegance.

The Léoville Las Cases technical team carefully oversees every stage of winemaking, combining tradition and innovation to preserve the authenticity of Clos du Marquis. Thanks to this dedication, the wine expresses the full richness and balance of Saint-Julien, with a velvety texture and aging potential that delights lovers of Bordeaux grands crus.

The cuvées of Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis

A first wine from the Saint-Julien appellation, Clos du Marquis is renowned for its elegant, structured character. Its wines display great aromatic finesse, with aromas of ripe black fruit, notes of cedarwood, and a hint of licorice. On the palate, it reveals a silky texture supported by supple yet powerful tannins, giving it excellent aging potential.

With its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend, Clos du Marquis harmoniously combines structure with a long finish. On tasting, this wine stands out for its complexity and balance, hallmarks of the Saint-Julien appellation. It can be cellared for several decades, developing aromas of leather, tobacco, and forest floor that attest to its exceptional aging potential.

La Petite Marquise

La Petite Marquise is a cuvée created to celebrate the estate’s young vines while preserving the exceptional quality of Clos du Marquis. Sourced primarily from the Clos’s terroirs, this wine has a subtle, charming character, perfect for enjoying sooner. La Petite Marquise stands out for its freshness and elegance, with a blend featuring a greater proportion of Merlot, which brings suppleness and roundness.

This light, expressive second wine reveals notes of red fruit and flowers, with fine, velvety tannins. Beautifully balanced, it is a delicate tribute to the women who have shaped the estate’s history. Its profile is more approachable than that of Clos du Marquis, while still offering complexity and depth worthy of Bordeaux’s finest wines.

Saint-Julien, a leading Médoc appellation in Bordeaux, is renowned for red wines of great finesse and longevity. Certain vintages stand out for their exceptional quality, producing powerful, elegant, and complex wines. Among the finest are 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, all benchmarks for collectors of age-worthy wines. More recent standout vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, all acclaimed for their balance and aging potential. The 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages also stand out for their richness and complexity, reinforcing Saint-Julien’s status as an essential reference in the world of wine.

The 1855 Second Growths form a prestigious category of iconic estates whose quality often rivals that of the First Growths. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both in Margaux, along with Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, wine lovers will appreciate the wines of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the renowned Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Don’t miss Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, or the celebrated 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 distinctive, refined alternative to the Médoc’s grands crus. This 45-hectare vineyard, carefully tended and vinified by the Delon family and the Léoville Las Cases team, is a model of finesse, structure, and elegance. Its wines embody the character of Saint-Julien, with impressive aging potential and a richly nuanced aromatic profile. From the sophistication of Clos du Marquis to the captivating softness of La Petite Marquise, the estate offers wines of impeccable quality that will appeal to enthusiasts and connoisseurs seeking an exceptional tasting experience.