2023 Clos du Marquis, St Julien, Bordeaux

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.

Clean and precise with more acidity and freshness than 2022. Attractive berry fruit with a hint of vanilla oak. Round on attack then focuses and drives. Fine but present tannins.

Drink 2029 - 2038

The 2023 Clos du Marquis is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to coax out classic notes of cassis, fresh plums, and cedar chest followed by hints of graphite and Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate is energetic and refreshing, with grainy tannins to support and a lively finish.

The blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.5%.

Drink 2027 - 2037

The 2023 Clos du Marquis was picked from September 6 to October 5 at 44hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a complex bouquet, comprising a mélange of red and black fruit, cedar and subtle touches of violet—very charming. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip. It’s a little creamy in texture on the entry, but there is solid backbone and a saline finish. This is very promising.

Drink 2029 - 2050

The 2023 Clos du Marquis is a rather serious, structured wine, evocative of cherries, dark berries and kirsch, framed by a touch of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy but structured, it's a taut, concentrated wine that will reward some patience.

A beautiful Saint-Julien from the team of Léoville Las Cases, the 2023 Clos Du Marquis offers a deep purple hue as well as terrific aromatics of red and black fruits, saddle leather, graphite, and dried flowers. I love its complexity, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered style. It brings plenty of density and mid-palate depth, has ripe tannins, and outstanding length.

The 2023 Clos du Marquis might very well be the best Clos du Marquis I have ever tasted. A wine of freshness and verve, the 2023 is all nuance. Sweet red plum, blood orange, spice, flowers, mint and white pepper are all finely cut. The 2023 shows more vibrancy, less oak extraction and more refined tannins than in the past. It’s a glorious wine in every way. This early tasting is hugely promising. Clos du Marquis could turn out to be one of the real surprises of 2023.

Drink 2028 - 2043

Squid ink, cassis, bilberry, roses, love the intensity and gorgeous salinity of this wine. Captures the sense of energy and florality in the best Cabernets of 2023, although retains the austerity that you expect from this site in its early years.

First vintage in the new cellars, moving from 40 vats to 80 vats, with 30 microvinification vats. Harvest September 6 to October 5, 50% new oak for ageing, 44hl/h yields.

Drink 2030 - 2045

This offers beautiful blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity that adds tension and freshness to the mid-palate. It’s full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins. Long finish. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. What will be better between 2022 and 2023?