Clos du Marquis 2000

Characteristics and tasting advice for Clos du Marquis 2000

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep ruby red hue, almost opaque, reflecting fine concentration.

Nose

The bouquet reveals intense aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), accompanied by notes of cedar, tobacco and graphite. Hints of licorice and forest floor round out this complex aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows power and structure, with firm yet velvety tannins that have mellowed over time. The mid-palate is concentrated, offering fine definition and remarkable length on flavors of black fruit and spices.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos du Marquis 2000 pairs perfectly with roasted red meats, braised lamb shoulder or game. It also matches very well with mushroom-based dishes or aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Clos du Marquis 2000 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of around 16°C. Decanting for one hour helps aerate the wine and fully reveal its aromas. This vintage is currently in a lovely drinking window while still retaining cellaring potential for the years to come.

A lively, structured Saint-Julien from an exceptional vintage

The estate

Created in 1902, Clos du Marquis is a historic brand of the Domaines Delon, owned by the family for more than 125 years. Now run by Jean-Hubert Delon, the estate covers around 45 hectares in Saint-Julien, in the Bordeaux region. Clos du Marquis is not a second wine but a cuvée in its own right, sourced from specific plots located to the west of the Grand Enclos de Léoville Las Cases. Benefiting from the technical expertise of a classified estate, Clos du Marquis produces wines recognized for quality comparable to that of classified growths.

The vineyard

The Clos du Marquis vineyard is located in the Saint-Julien appellation, on the plateau about 500 meters west of the famed Enclos de Léoville Las Cases. The vines, with an average age of thirty years, are rooted in humic podzol soils over ancient, fine sandy-clay gravels. This composition gives the terroir a distinct character, with marked water sensitivity that promotes slow, gradual ripening of the grapes. The vineyard is managed according to sustainable and organic practices, with respect for the environment and the expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2000 vintage is considered one of the greatest in the contemporary history of Bordeaux. The year was marked by exceptional weather conditions: a favorable spring, a hot, sunny summer with little rainfall, allowing optimal grape concentration. These ideal conditions gave rise to powerful, concentrated and structured wines with remarkable aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Clos du Marquis 2000 are hand-harvested and carefully sorted. After destemming, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation before being aged in French oak barrels for 14 to 18 months, with a proportion of new oak between 40 and 50%. This measured aging helps preserve the character of the terroir while adding complexity and refinement to the tannins.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (67%)
Merlot (32%)
Cabernet Franc (1%)