Léoville-Las Cases St-Julien Clos du Marquis 2009

95 points James Suckling: "Rich yet firmly structured this is a very classic St.-Julien that's generous and polished with so much energy driving the long plush finish. Delicious now, but should hold for many years. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019) (2/7/19)"

95 points (17.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Long considered the second wine of Leoville Las Cases, Clos du Marquis is now a wine in its own right, produced from its own plot of land. Its vines border numerous classified growths, and the care taken in its vinification makes it a wine capable of rising to the level of a third growth. It is also priced accordingly. 2009 is a wine of great pedigree, dense and rounder than Leoville Las Cases. (2011)"

94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Intense ruby red with purple hues, some brightening on the rim. Dark notes of cabernet fruit, a hint of blackberries, savoury tobacco notes, oak. Taut, tightly meshed, refined red berry nuances, ripe tannins, mineral and salty, enveloping, already drinking well, but still needs further time to age. (2/13/20)"

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "A dense wine, the wood just showing at this stage through its dark tannins and superb rich fruit. The wine is ripe, with a density of tannins that go right down deep. Big and powerful. (Apr 2012)"

93 points Robert Parker: "Now positioned as a totally separate vineyard and a real clos (enclosed walled vineyard), this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from Jean-Hubert Delon is a beauty. Creme de cassis notes intermixed with some vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers jump from the glass. Full-bodied and powerful (nearly 14% natural alcohol), this is a generously endowed, rich wine that was first made in 1902. The 2009 should drink well for 20-25 years. Readers need to think of it as a true classified growth, although technically it is not. Drink: 2012-2037. (Dec 2011)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "This has a perfumy espresso edge to its racy red currant, briar and blackberry bush notes. Long and refined through the finish, with a pronounced minerality that should soften in a decade. Tight, but a rather elegant expression of Cabernet overall. Best from 2016. (3/31/12)"

92 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Right off the bat, this is delicious, offering a blast of sweet, ripe, juicy and fresh cassis. Medium-full bodied, there is sweetness, freshness and purity to the bright red fruits on the palate and in the nose. Drink this now with 30-60 minutes of decanting. (Sep 2019)"

91 points Stephen Tanzer (Vinous): "Deep red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of black raspberry, licorice and minerals. Sweet, rich and suave, with sound acidity and a lightly herbal character intensifying its seamless dark berry flavors. Not hugely deep or nuanced but delivers a lot of flavor and finishes with ripe, dusty tannins that will not get in the way of tasting this wine early. (Jul 2012)"