Domaines Delon • Clos du Marquis

The history of Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis was born in 1902, in the Petit Clos adjoining Château de Léoville, then owned by the Marquis de Las Cases. For a long time, it remained the second wine of Léoville Las Cases, until it was recognized as a cru in its own right.

The aim of separating the different crus was to obtain the quintessence of different terroirs, with purer, more typical wines. Clos du Marquis belongs to Domaine Delon, which also produces Léoville Las Cases, Potensac and Nénin.

The terroirs of these great wines adjoin other exceptional nectars and prestigious crus classés, notably Seconds Crus from the Saint Julien and Pauillac appellations: Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville or Comtesse de Lalande.

Today, Jean-Hubert Delon is in charge of the estate with his sister, Geneviève d'Alton.

The Clos du Marquis vineyard

The Clos du Marquis vineyard is located in the Saint Julien appellation. The vines are not all on the former Léoville de Las Cases estate. They are located a little further west.

The terroir is composed of Quaternary gravel, older and finer than that of the nearby Enclos. The soil surface is rich in organic matter due to the clos's history of forestry. It's this particularity that gives Clos du Marquis its trademark, setting it apart from other wines in the Saint Julien appellation.

The rather low altitude is 20 meters on this part of the Saint Julien plateau. The subsoil is composed of humic podzols on sandy-clay gravel. The microclimate of Clos du Marquis results in a later ripening phase than that of L'Enclos, which benefits from the warmer temperatures due to its proximity to the Gironde.

The vines cover 45 hectares planted with red grapes, and their average age is 30 years. Clos du Marquis is planted with 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Average annual production is 180,000 bottles.

The Clos du Marquis wine

The Clos du Marquis wine is a very great wine that richly deserves its notoriety. The wine has an elegant ruby/purple color. Delicate orange highlights can sometimes be seen.

Clos du Marquis is a complex wine with a robust structure. It is harmonious, always elegant and offers long ageing potential. The nose is intense and complex. The aromas are powerful and enrich each other on a woody background. Blackberry, blackcurrant, kirsch and cedar can be detected.

The attack on the palate is distinguished and harmonious. It remains rich and dense, right through to the long, suave finish. The aromatic complexity of Clos du Marquis grows richer with age.