Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis

Classification: Second Wine of Château Léoville Las Cases
Château Léoville Las Cases produces two wines, its Grand Vin, and a second wine called Clos du Marquis. Clos du Marquis' grapes actually come from a separate area of vineyards surrounded on all sides by other Second Growths. It is considered to be one of the finest second wines as its quality is superb. The grapes are grown in the Petit Clos – Clos meaning an enclosed garden or field. The Marquis referred to in the name is the Marquis de Las Cases Beauvoir who inherited the Château before the French Revolution. During the Revolution the Marquis, fearing for his life, was forced to flee France and as a consequence the Leoville estate was broken up. This gave birth to the 3 separate Châteaux Leoville Barton, Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Poyferré. Today Léoville Las Cases comprises over 209 acres and has been run since 1950 by the Delon Family.

As Clos du Marquis hails from a separate vineyard it is really a separate cuvée – hence its ability to challenge many other châteaux of the Medoc. Indeed, this is the equal of most 3rd, 4th and 5th Growths and has been an outstanding performer for many years, offering tremendous value for money. The Petit Clos vineyard is to the south of the Leoville Las Cases Grand Clos vines and covers 12 acres. It is planted with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Style
Clos du Marquis is made with much more Merlot than the Grand Vin of Château Leoville Las Cases and is a rich, creamy smooth wine. It is well balanced and the tannins are well integrated. The dark purple wine has the flavours of over ripe blackberries and raspberries with leather over tones. It is a layered and complex wine and is well structured.

Owner: Jean Hubert Delon (also owns Château Potensac)
Château Website:  www.leoville-las-cases.com 
Oenologist: J & E Boissenot