The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a lovely wine, offering up aromas of cherries, burning embers, dark berries, loamy soil and truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine that`s rather deep and serious, reflecting low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a blend dominated by 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. Lest anyone underestimate it on the strength of the challenging vintage alone, by the numbers it contains a higher concentration of polyphenols than either the 2019 or 2020 vintages. Tasted three times. 91-93 points

The 2021 Clos du Marquis was picked from September 24 to October 9 and matured in 50% new oak. There was just a little coulure affecting the Merlot this year. This has quite a tight nose that demands more coaxing from the glass than its peers, the blackberry, mint, juniper and pencil box aromas emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins on the entry, and curiously Pauillac-like in style thanks to the graphite seam that runs from start to finish. Shorter than the 2019 or 2020 (as expected) but quite serious and deserving of some time in a cool, dank cellar. 90-92 points

The 2021 Clos du Marquis is a dark, sumptuous Saint-Julien. Strong Cabernet inflections give the Clos du Marquis its strong aromatic presence. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, tobacco and incense all reveal themselves with some coaxing. There are some slight rough edges in the tannins, but hopefully élevage can polish those. The 2021 is a fine and promising Clos du Marquis. 91-93 points