2006 Clos du Marquis, St Julien

The grapes for this younger sibling of Léoville-Las Cases come from separate vineyards surrounded on all sides by Second Growths, so it shouldn't be an enormous surprise that it has produced a wine of this quality in 2006. It is incredibly elegant, with rich, stylish blackcurrant and raspberry fruit supported by firm tannins. There is an excellent structure and complexity boosted by the extra Cabernet Franc this year (13%, plus 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot) and a pure, long, focused finish. This is one of the great buys of the vintage.

As usual, the second wine, the 2006 Clos du Marquis, exhibits a character similar to the grand vin, but it is a more fruit-forward effort with sweeter tannins, and a more precocious, evolved personality. With super intense black cherry and cedary notes intermixed with hints of licorice and barrique, this deep, medium to full-bodied, velvety-textured wine is ideal for consumption over the next 15 years.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Feb-2009)