A refined and classic Saint-Julien showing ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit layered with cranberry, autumn leaves, cigar box and graphite. Medium-bodied, smooth and harmonious, with velvety tannins and precise definition throughout. Elegant rather than powerful, it expresses the class of its terroir with purity and balance. Drinking well now and will continue to age gracefully to around 2038.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Oct 28, 2016
Drink: 2019-2038

Tasted blind at the Bordeaux 2012 Southwold tasting. The 2012 Clos du Marquis has a very intense bouquet, the more fruit-driven of all the Saint Julien 2012s with layers of black cherries and cranberry fruit, an undercurrent of autumn leaves and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition: smooth and very harmonious, quite intense on the entry and yet without that long sustain on the finish. That does not matter too much, because what comes before is very precise and pure, the class of the terroir evident from start to finish. Tasted January 2016.

James Suckling | JS 91
Published: Feb 22, 2015

This is a soulful Clos du Marquis with currants, blackberries and hints of earth. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A fascinating earthy undertone. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator | WS 90
Published: Mar 31, 2015

A textbook St.-Julien, with a core of plum sauce and blackberry paste framed with roasted apple wood and backed by a solid graphite spine. Has the lightly chewy edge of the vintage, but offers good, pure fruit for balance. Best from 2016 through 2022. 9,000 cases made.