Clos du Marquis - Saint-Julien 2018

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Clos du Marquis has a rich and forward bouquet with layers of red berry fruit mixed with camphor and touches of iron filings. The palate is rich and powerful, rounded in texture with white pepper and thyme infusing the black fruit. This is a voluminous and powerful Clos du Marquis with depth and girth, leading to a tannic finish that will need a few years to soften. Good potential.

WeinWisser

17 / 20

the5/7/2019

Vinous

90-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/2/2019

The 2018 Clos du Marquis is a powerful, heady Saint-Julien. Smoke, cedar, tobacco, menthol, licorice, iron, scorched earth and gravel all run through this potent, virile Saint-Julien. In 2018, Clos du Marquis is especially tannic. There is so much to like about Clos de Marquis in 2018, but it will need time in bottle. Best of all, it should be a solid value. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Vinifera

94 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Robe très dense. Superbe présentation aromatique. Fine, complexe, sur des notes de fruits noirs, de cèdre. Le corps offre une chair soyeuse avec en filigrane, une trame étirée, savoureuse, dynamique. Un des plus beaux Clos du Marquis de ces dernières années, très Las Cases.

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18,5 / 20

the4/24/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Crème de cassis, spice, forest floor and tobacco notes show up with ease. Medium/full-bodied, spicy and fresh, this wine is precociously ripe and vibrant with juicy fruit on the nose and mouth. Even with the 14.5% alcohol there is no heat, jam or over ripeness. Everything is sweet and lively. Clearly, this is the best vintage for Clos du Marquis and its definitely Classified Growth in quality. The wine was made from blending 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Clos du Marquis is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, with 13% press wine added back to the blend. Grapes were harvested September 18 to October 10, with yields of 35.5 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine has 14.5% alcohol. It will be aged in barriques, 55% new. The finished blend was put into barrels last December. Deep purple-black in color, it displays flamboyant scents of kirsch, crushed black cherries and warm cassis with hints of cinnamon stick, underbrush and chocolate box plus a waft of sandalwood. Full-bodied and built like a brick house with firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular fruit, it finishes long and spicy.

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

A beautiful black currant flavor and an immense background of tannins mark this wine is from a single parcel of the Léoville las Cases vineyard. The purity of the fruits and acidity is impressive.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

The purple-fruit and black-olive character with violet undertones is wonderful here. Full-bodied, yet reserved and intense. Finesse. Graphite and minerality. Layered.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

92 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Warm and fleshy in feel, with steeped plum and boysenberry flavors. Light ganache and licorice notes underscore the finish. Slightly brooding in feel today, but retains a healthy core of fruit.