A larger than normal (13.2%) amount of Cabernet Franc made it into Clos du Marquis in 2006. Some of this fruit would normally go into Las Cases and it seems to add an extra layer of character and structure. The wine seemed more serious than usual and had a lovely set of aromatics including pencil lead, crushed fruit and blackcurrant leaf. A lovely thick and juicy texture this was one of the best 'second wines' we tasted.

• En Primeur wines are still in barrel at the châteaux and are sold as ‘futures’ up to two years in advance of delivery. The price includes delivery in-bond to a dedicated storage account. Before your wine arrives in the UK you will have the option to specify duty-paid delivery to an address of your choice, but you will need to pay a release fee to cover duty, VAT and handling at the prevailing rates.

"Second wine of Léoville Las Cases. Pretty dark crimson. Ripe black fruits with lift on the nose. Very racy. Sweet start, very fine tannins. Slightly green tannins but a definite polish. This year all the Cabernet Franc went into this wine even if most of the constituents for Léoville Las Cases and Clos du Marquis come from different parcels. A bit inky on the finish. Very much an also ran in 2006. One has the sense, because of its greenness, that it has swept up the offcuts. Bit of a skinny little thing."

Jancis Robinson,
www.jancisrobinson.com, 16.5 points (out of 20)
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"Wonderful aromas of blackberries, minerals and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with a lovely core of cool fruit. Racy and caressing tannins. Excellent. 13.2 percent Cabernet Franc--more than normal. Better structured than normal, too."

James Suckling,
The Wine Advocate, 92-94 points
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