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"I am not a great believer in the
quality of most second wines, as they tend to be a dumping ground for everything
deemed not desirable for the grand vin. However, such second wines as Forts de
Latour, Bahans-Haut-Brion, Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux, and Clos du
Marquis are serious wines that possess the character of their more complex and
concentrated siblings, yet are more supple and accessible." Robert Parker
1994
$29.99 very limited
"Clos du Marquis is not to be missed in the 1993-95 vintages. This deep
ruby/purple-colored wine reveals the sweet, pure cassis fruit of
Leoville-Las-Cases, good fatness, medium body, low acidity, and no astringency
or harshness in the lush finish. It should drink well for 10-12 years."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #109
1995
$54.99 limited
"Dense purple-colored with considerable intensity, this rich, high quality,
gorgeously extracted wine could easily pass for a top classified growth. A
serious, well-endowed effort, the medium-bodied 1995 Clos du Marquis does indeed
resemble the grand vin, Leoville-Las-Cases. Anticipated maturity:
2000-2012." 90 Robert Parker, Bordeaux
"The essence of wild strawberries and blackberries on the nose.
Medium-bodied, with medium tannins and a silky finish. Elegant beauty.
Outstanding second label of Ch?teau L?oville Las Cases. Best from 2000 through
2005." 90 The Wine Spectator 9/15/98
1996
$54.99 limited
"A terrific Clos du Marquis, and clearly of second or third-growth quality,
this dark purple-colored wine reveals structure, brooding backwardness, and
rich, expansive character. The wine exhibits plenty of sweet kirsch black
currant fruit intermixed with high quality, subtle new oak, and steely, mineral
characteristics. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin, this is a
dazzling Clos du Marquis. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2018." 90 Robert
Parker, The Wine Advocate #122
"Deep ruby-red. Plum and roasted nuts on the nose. Large-scaled, vinous and
deep; thick fruit is given clarity by sound acidity. Very long and subtle on the
finish, with serious but harmonious tannins. An outstanding second label, as
good as most classified growths from St. Julien. 90 Steve Tanzer,
International Wine Cellar 5/6-99
1997
$45.99 limited
"The second wine of Leoville Las-Cases, Clos du Marquis possesses many of
the characteristics of its more renowned sibling. A blend of 78% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 1997 is
seductive, open-knit, and evolved. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and
the wine offers plenty of pure, oak-tinged, black cherry and cassis fruit,
elegant, silky-textured flavors, and admirable fat and depth on the mid-palate.
Readers will find the low acid/high PH texture captivating. This wine should
drink well for the next decade." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #116
"Medium ruby-red. Plum, game, nuts and saddle leather on the nose. Nicely
textured, smooth and vinous, with enticing plum and smoke flavors; if the '98 is
like Pauillac, this is quintessential St. Julien. Finishes with ripe tannins and
good length. 87 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-00
1998
$41.99 available
"A superb effort, the 1998 exhibits abundant quantities of black currant
and cherry fruit subtley dosed with toasty oak. A medium to full-bodied,
nicely-textured, pure effort, with a moderately tannic finish. Anticipated
maturity: 2002-2014." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #134
"Ruby-red. Cool aromas of black cherry, tobacco, currant leaf, minerals and
toasty oak. Intensely flavored and sinewy, with less fat than the '99 but plenty
of personality. Finishes with firm, nicely buffered tannins and very good
persistence. A rather elegant, Pauillac-styled Clos du Marquis. 89(+?)
Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-01
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