Clos du Marquis 2020

JAMES SUCKLING: "Perfumed with currant, crushed stone, and minerals. Graphite, too. Medium-bodied, very fine and racy. Lead pencil. Very integrated. Needs time to open and show its true self. Sweet tobacco at the end. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 33% merlot. Better after 2028."

WEINWISSER: "Komplexes Bouquet, frisch gepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, Wildkirsche und heller Tabak, dahinter Zwetschgen und Rosmarin. Am kompakten, verschlossenen Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanningerüst und mehligem Extrakt, durchtrainierter Körper. Im konzentrierten tiefgründigen Finale rote und blaue Beeren, Rosenholz und Zedern. Pure St.-Julien-Finesse.2

JEB DUNNUCK: "Flowers, cassis, black raspberries, herbs and tobacco leaf on the nose. Medium-bodied, forward, juicy, soft and polished, there is energy, freshness and purity here from start to finish. The wine was made from a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, cassis, black raspberries, herbs and tobacco leaf on the nose. Medium-bodied, forward, juicy, soft and polished, there is energy, freshness and purity here from start to finish. The wine was made from a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc:"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2020 Clos du Marquis wafts from the glass with aromas of rich berries, cherries, orange zest, pencil shavings and crushed mint. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a sweet core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish, it's a serious wine that will require and reward patience."

DECANTER: "Supple, ample and generous, this is a lovely Clos du Marquis with an intensity and liveliness straight away, the effects of strong selection giving this a concentrated core. Tannins are prominent but fine and velvety, coating the mouth in a chalky, dry texture but ripe not astringent. I love the fruit forwardness and intention here, but this also has tension and linearity, driving in one straight line from start to finish with a vein of minerality underneath - liquorice and graphite giving a saltiness on the tongue. Feels confident and sauve. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Yield of 30hL/ha. 3.69pH. Ageing in 50% new barrels."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is pure St.-Julien through and through, with a core of cassis and plum fruit laced with a cool cast iron note, while cedar, anise and savory nuances chime in the background. An understated style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2038."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart floral, etwas Lakritze und Cassis, ein Hauch von Nougat und Orangenzesten, tabakige Würze im Hintergrund. Gute Komplexität, Brombeerfrucht, feine, reife Tannine, gute Frische, anhaftend, bereits gut entwickelt, ein mineralischer Speisenbegleiter."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2020 Clos du Marquis is composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with vivacious notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and cassis, leading to suggestions of lavender, crushed rocks, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate is energetic and refreshing, with grainy tannins and a good intensity of red and black berry layers on the finish."