2005 Clos du Marquis, St Julien

Clos du Marquis's grapes actually come from a separate area of vineyards (rather than younger or less successful vines at Léoville-Las Cases) surrounded on all sides by other Second Growths. This is made with much more Merlot (38%) than the Léoville-Las Cases and is very rich, with sweet, creamy, overripe raspberries and blackberries with leather overtones. It is a very precise wine within a beautifully integrated framework of new oak and classy tannins.  This is a cracking Claret and one of the best value wines of the vintage.

The superb second wine, the 2005 Clos du Marquis, reflects the utter brilliance of the 2005 grand vin. It boasts an inky/ruby/purple color along with a sweet perfume of lead pencil, ripe cherries and black currants, and hints of earth and vanillin. Dense, chewy, fleshy, and full-bodied, this beauty will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and should keep for 15-20. (Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 30-Apr-2008)
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