The grand vin is the 2017 Clos Du Marquis, which is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc. This stunning wine lends credence to the idea that Saint-Julien was the sweet spot for the Medoc in 2017. Classic Cabernet cassis and blue fruit notes as well as ample minerality, violets, and chocolate notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully polished Saint-Julien that has ripe tannin, terrific balance, and a great finish. It’s going to have 25+ years of prime drinking.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2020)
Solid tannins come from the vineyard, giving this dense, concentrated wine with a powerful structure and blackberry fruits. The wine's future is assured, with richness, spice and fruitiness all coming together. Drink from 2023.
94 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2020)
Wonderful aromas of blackberries, flowers, violets and Indian spices. Medium to full body with extremely polished, tight tannins that interface well with the ripe fruit. Remains extremely long and focused. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Better after 2023.
94 points, James Suckling (Jan 2020)
Since 2007, the Clos du Marquis comes from an entirely different vineyard in Saint-Julien than the Leoville Las Cases, so it is not a second wine. And there was only a small amount of frost on the western edge of this vineyard in 2017. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Clos du Marquis is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and struts confidently out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants, warm blackberries and fresh black and red plums with touches of cigar box and bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, the palate is chock-full of zingy black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step.
93 points, Wine Advocate (Mar 2020)
The 2017 Clos du Marquis is dark, pliant and inviting. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, mocha, spice and licorice are all super-expressive in this wonderfully open, radiant Saint-Julien. Plush fruit and silky contours add to the wine's considerable appeal. Best of all, the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is such a beautiful and expressive wine.
93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2020)
A fresh, pure style, with violet and cassis aromas leading off, followed by a racy core of raspberry, blackberry and black currant fruit. Very well-integrated, featuring a deeply embedded structure and a singed apple wood note skirting along the edges. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035. 8,333 cases made.
93 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2020)
A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet colored 2017 Clos du Marquis springs from the glass with vivacious notes of crushed red and black currants, fresh blackberries, and violets, plus suggestions of underbrush and cedar. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and lively with soft, grainy tannins and just enough youthful red and black fruit expression, finishing with a skip in its step.
93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Dec 2022)