2020 Clos du Marquis

2020 Clos du Marquis is a refined, classically styled Saint-Julien that delivers Left Bank precision with a seductive, modern charm. Often mistaken for the second wine of Château Léoville-Las Cases, Clos du Marquis is in fact a standalone estate with its own distinct terroir and character. The 2020 vintage, composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc at a modest 13.5% alcohol, showcases impressive depth, aromatic complexity and balance.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, 2020 Clos du Marquis is deep purple to almost opaque, with inky black hues at the core and a vibrant rim that hints at its youth and energy. The nose is expressive and layered: flamboyant notes of blackberry, ripe juicy plum and blackcurrant leap from the glass, followed by nuances of licorice, leather, crushed rose petals and freshly pulled espresso as it opens with air. On the palate, this is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with a core of perfumed black fruits wrapped in firm, grainy tannins that give it an elegant structure. The freshness is notable, lending lift and definition to the dark fruit profile, while subtle savory and floral tones add complexity. The finish is long, aromatic and persistent, suggesting several years of positive development ahead. Enjoyable in its youth with proper aeration, this 2020 has the structure and balance to age gracefully for 10–15 years, and likely longer in good cellaring conditions.

Production
Clos du Marquis is sourced from vineyards in Saint-Julien, on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, surrounded by some of the most prestigious Grand Cru Classé estates of Pauillac and Saint-Julien, including Léoville-Las Cases, Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The terroir is quintessential Médoc: deep gravel soils with clay and sand subsoils that favor Cabernet Sauvignon and contribute to both finesse and longevity. Grapes are harvested parcel by parcel at optimal ripeness, typically by hand to ensure careful selection. In the cellar, the varieties are vinified separately in temperature-controlled vats, allowing precise extraction of color, aroma and tannin, before maturing in French oak barrels (a portion new) to refine the tannins and integrate the complex aromatic profile that defines Clos du Marquis.

Food & Serving
This 2020 Clos du Marquis pairs beautifully with classic, refined dishes such as roasted lamb, beef rib roast, duck breast, or veal with morel cream sauce. It also works well with game birds, grilled entrecôte, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase its aromatic complexity and structure. For current drinking, decant for 1–2 hours to soften the tannins and allow the layered bouquet of black fruit, florals and savory notes to fully emerge; as it ages, a shorter decant of around 45 minutes will typically be sufficient.

Producer
Clos du Marquis was created in the late 19th century by the Delon family, proprietors of the illustrious Château Léoville-Las Cases, as a way to express the unique character of vineyards distinct from the historic Léoville enclosure. Far from being a mere second wine, Clos du Marquis is a separate estate with its own identity, sourced from parcels located in the heart of Saint-Julien and surrounded by some of the Médoc’s most revered Grand Crus Classés. Over time, it has earned a reputation as one of Bordeaux’s benchmark wines for quality and value, consistently delivering a true Saint-Julien profile of precision, structure and elegance that reflects both its exceptional neighborhood and the meticulous standards of the Delon family.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.