Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2000 Clos du Marquis – Bottle Notes

At the end of the 19th century, Theophile Skawinski purchased Leoville Las Cases. Theophile Skawinski was the managing director of Chateau Leoville Cases. Skawinski passed his shares to Andre Delon, which is the start of the Delon family ownership in Bordeaux. At about the same time, Leoville Las Cases created one of the first official, “Second” Bordeaux wines with Clos du Marquis, which made its debut in 1902. Most consumers refer to Clos du Marquis as the second wine of Leoville las Cases although that is not quite accurate. The fruit source comes from different vines and terroir than what is used to produce Chateau Leoville Las Cases. Because Clos du Marquis comes from the same parcels every vintage, the chateau prefers to think of Clos du Marquis as its own, unique, Saint Julien wine.

I decanted this wine for about 1 hour.

Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Restrained nose of red fruits, leather and pencil shavings. Medium body with just enough acidity. Warm and round on the palate. Flavors of currants, cassis, earth and minerals. Medium length on the finish with soft, mostly resolved tannins. This wine is not likely to improve with additional time in the bottle. Drink soon.

My rating: 88 points.

This was my 5th bottle of a half case purchased in 2003. The wine has never come close to living up to the 94 point rating that the Wine Spectator bestowed upon it (yes I used to buy wines based on points given by critics). I’m not a big fan of 2nd wines whether you classify Clos du Marquis as such or not. Either way I have not bought subsequent vintages from this producer.

 

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