In Bordeaux there are certain vintages to look for and each has it’s own drinking window based on that vintage and the quality of the wine.  Clos Du Marquis is not the second label of Second Growth Chateau Leoville Las Cases, but is made at the same winery.   I mistakenly made that assumption when I first bought it.  It’s pedigree shows however.  I bought a case of this wine back in 2012 and have been patiently waiting for it to emerge.  Wowza, has it ever come to life!

See-through purple in the glass with a tiny amount of sediment showing in the bottle. Cassis, black currants and cedar on the nose. Smooth as all heck intro of black berries, blueberry and cassis. On the mid palate, more layers of currant, blackberry and spice mingling with the delightful tannins.  Balanced to within an inch of its life this wine is  on pointe and drinking beautifully. From the great 2005 vintage it’s easy to see how this wine would get 93 points and a 5 star rating that has really rewarded my patience.  It can still be found for $70.  Ps.  WS gave it 93, RP only a 91 but had high praise for it’s evolution.  I would drink this all by itself, the 13% alcohol being very civilized- but if you wanted to pair it with some beef stew, Osso Bucco or even Coq Au Vin, these would work well.  I am looking forward to the rest of this case, spread out over the next 5 years.  Salut….

I couldn’t help myself, it was on sale at half off.  On opening- it was a see-through purple in the glass with an enticing nose of plum, spice and violets. The palate is ever so slightly subdued but some blueberry, raspberry and vanilla notes come through. There are some nice tannic touches on the mid palate and the finale has some plum torte notes with a touch of oak. There is no overpowering acidity and at 12.5% alcohol I’m thinking this wine will be drunk in short order. It’s soft, alluring and has a slight tannic bite, an easy drinker with some class. I paid $22, on sale. I’m going with 88 points and 3 stars.  I believe it is the second wine of Sociando-Mallet.  Salut….

I have been sitting on this magnum for quite a few years.  I sat it upright a week before Christmas and popped it for the grand occasion.  I was immediately greeted with a full nose of aged Bordeaux joy. Cassis, leather, dark fruits and fig compote. The initial attack is rather tannic, in fact- full on. I decided to run the next glass through the vinturi. The fruit is lively and melding with earthy notes, cassis, tobacco and some leather. The dark fruits really come through on the mid palate. I get even balance on the back end and no hint of alcohol (13%) which is interesting as 2003 was a super hot vintage. Many chateau suffered from stewed flavors and short lived wines. This one, from a large format, is just starting out.  You can find it for around $65.  The pros gave it 91/92.  I agree with that and give this wine 5 stars for its complexity, aging capacity and enjoyment factor.  I think I have another one waiting in the cellar!  Salut….