Wine Advocate 92 / 100 par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016 Tasted blind at the Bordeaux 2012 Southwold tasting. The 2012 Clos du Marquis has a very intense bouquet, the more fruit-driven of all the Saint Julien 2012s with layers of black cherries and cranberry fruit, an undercurrent of autumn leaves and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition: smooth and very harmonious, quite intense on the entry and yet without that long sustain on the finish. That does not matter too much, because what comes before is very precise and pure, the class of the terroir evident from start to finish. Tasted January 2016.
Jamessuckling.com 91 / 100 par James Suckling le 15/02/2015 This is a soulful Clos du Marquis with currants, blackberries and hints of earth. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A fascinating earthy undertone. Better in 2018.
Wine Spectator 90 / 100 par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015 A textbook St.-Julien, with a core of plum sauce and blackberry paste framed with roasted apple wood and backed by a solid graphite spine. Has the lightly chewy edge of the vintage, but offers good, pure fruit for balance. Best from 2016 through 2022. 9,000 cases made. –JM
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 88-90 / 100 par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013 (92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc; 5.3 g/l total acidity; 3.65 pH; IPT 65; 13.5% alcohol; 33 h/h yield; 40% new oak): Bright ruby. Aromas of fresh blackcurrant, spicy minerals and violet. Then sweeter in the mouth, with an element of sweet spices complicating raspberry and cassis flavors. Harmonious acidity and silky, persistent tannins are the hallmark of yet another great wine from Jean-Hubert Delon in 2012. It's also a unique version of Clos du Marquis with this much cabernet sauvignon, though ever since the creation of LLC's true second wine, Le Petit Lion (which now gets most of the estate's lesser merlot fruit), the cabernet sauvignon percentage has steadily increased in Clos du Marquis.
timatkin.com 93 / 100 par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013 Winemaker Bruno Rolland is as adept at handling difficult vintages as he is at expressing great ones. This is no shrinking violet, but it’s packed with old vine concentration. It’s backward and quite tannic at the moment, but there’s focus, freshness and a lot of tightly wound fruit lurking in the background. Drink: 2022-35
Le Point 16 / 20 par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013 Fruits noirs, épices, gelée de sureau, bouche pleine, dense, épicée, fraîche, tendue, longue, une qualité de tanins remarquables, velouté en bouche et très long. O= 2016 G= 10 ans.
Wine Advocate 90-92 / 100 par Neal Martin le 02/05/2013 The Clos du Marquis is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc cropped at 33hl/ha and matured in 40% new oak. It has a tobacco-scented bouquet of blackberry and a touch of blueberry fruit. It is tightly coiled compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. There is good density of fruit here with plenty of blackcurrant and raspberry fruit, although it is presently rigid and conservative towards the finish. Fine. Tasted April 2013.
Wine Spectator 88-91 / 100 par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013 Light but lively, with damson plum and cherry fruit, showing a lightly briary edge on the finish. —J.M.
Wine Advocate 91-93 / 100 par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013 The wine is pure with lots of creme de cassis, crushed rock and vanillin characteristics in its long, medium to full-bodied personality. Given the fact that this vineyard was once part of the larger Leoville Las Cases estate, it is no surprise that it is similar to its more famous as well as more expensive cousin. A strong effort in this vintage, it should drink well for 15-20 years. A brilliant effort from Jean-Hubert Delon, Clos du Marquis is now an entirely separate estate from Leoville Las Cases and its second wine, Le Petit Lion. The outstanding 2012 Clos du Marquis is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc and came in at 13.5% natural alcohol. About 50% new oak is used.Drink: 2013 - 2033
The Wine Cellar Insider 89-90 / 100 par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013 With a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon at 92%, the rest of the blend comes from 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in 40% new French oak, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol. Roasted black raspberries, cedar, spice and cassis notes lead to a rich, refined mouthful of sweet blackberry and cocoa, ripe tannins and a fresh finish. 89-90 Pts
My Bettane + Desseauve 17-17,5 / 20 le 26/04/2013 Grande réussite, vin complet, harmonieux, très racé, atteint désormais la dimension des meilleurs classés du Médoc.
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 par Jancis Robinson le 23/04/2013 Drink 2025-2038Dark purple. Sweet start. Friendly and very very Cabernet – lots of cassis. A Las Cases attempt at openness! Which is still very taut!
Decanter.com 17,5 / 20 par Steven Spurrier le 22/04/2013 Dense colour, floral richness and density from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, very fine St-Julien. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2032
Jean-Marc QUARIN 15,75 / 20 par Jean-Marc Quarin le 22/04/2013 Couleur sombre de bonne intensité. Nez fruité de type mur. Bouche tendre, fruitée, savoureuse et parfumée avec du goût et des tanins fins. Persistance charmeuse. Assemblage 92 % de cabernet sauvignon et 8 % merlot. Alcool 13°5, PH 3.64. IPT 65.
Jamessuckling.com 91-92 / 100 par James Suckling le 04/04/2013 This is very tannic and powerful with a full body and intense backbone. Chewy finish. Not up to the Leoville Las Cases level though.