critic reviews
The 2020 Clos du Marquis wafts from the glass with aromas of rich berries, cherries, orange zest, pencil shavings and crushed mint. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a sweet core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish, it's a serious wine that will require and reward patience.
The 2020 Clos du Marquis is composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with vivacious notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and cassis, leading to suggestions of lavender, crushed rocks, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate is energetic and refreshing, with grainy tannins and a good intensity of red and black berry layers on the finish.
Slate, pencl lead and crayon is dominant at this stage, with tannins that are arrow straight, serious without losing St Julien balance and finesse. Chiselled black fruits that soften to spiced plum through the palate. Enjoyable. 40% new oak.
The 2020 Clos du Marquis, matured in 40% new oak, has something almost genteel on the nose, very harmonious, almost "laid back" as lilting blackberry, cigar humidor, loamy aromas unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasant salinity on the entry, moderate depth, well balanced with black pepper and sage towards the structured finish. There is a sense of confidence about this Clos du Marquis that should see it age well over 20 to 25 years. Excellent.