Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Julien, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left.
Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left.
Dec 15th, 2024At almost 25 years old still an infant. Needs considerable time in the glass to open up. Lead pencil and cedar box, pronounced but delicate tannins. Not yet at plateau.
At almost 25 years old still an infant. Needs considerable time in the glass to open up. Lead pencil and cedar box, pronounced but delicate tannins. Not yet at plateau.
Nov 13th, 2024
The 2004 Léoville Las Cases has a noticeable mintiness on the nose that actually complements the red fruit, though it deviates away from what you might call Saint-Julien typicité. After ten minutes, it coheres with ash and black tea aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded texture on the entry. The 2004 shows fine acidity and is lightly spiced with cracked black pepper towards the finish. A little conservative, but it acquits itself well considering the vintage. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
The 2004 Léoville Las Cases has a noticeable mintiness on the nose that actually complements the red fruit, though it deviates away from what you might call Saint-Julien typicité. After ten minutes, it coheres with ash and black tea aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded texture on the entry. The 2004 shows fine acidity and is lightly spiced with cracked black pepper towards the finish. A little conservative, but it acquits itself well considering the vintage. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
What a nose. Deep plush plummy fruit with violets, roses, bloodiness, iron. This is so lively and bright still. Very delineated and plush but with structure that makes everything shine. Lush and gorgeous.
What a nose. Deep plush plummy fruit with violets, roses, bloodiness, iron. This is so lively and bright still. Very delineated and plush but with structure that makes everything shine. Lush and gorgeous.
Feb 27th, 2024
The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is poured blind and just soars in the glass. What stunned me was the tension and precision on the nose, tropes that I do not find with many Left Bank wines in this vintage. It has fabulous mineralité with that crushed stone element more pronounced than ever. The palate has beguiling symmetry, perfectly poised with a peacock's tail on the finish. Just a fabulous Saint-Julien. Tasted at the Bordeaux versus Stellenbosch dinner in South Africa. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is poured blind and just soars in the glass. What stunned me was the tension and precision on the nose, tropes that I do not find with many Left Bank wines in this vintage. It has fabulous mineralité with that crushed stone element more pronounced than ever. The palate has beguiling symmetry, perfectly poised with a peacock's tail on the finish. Just a fabulous Saint-Julien. Tasted at the Bordeaux versus Stellenbosch dinner in South Africa. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
Plummy, blackberry, dried currants, mulberry, lavender, cedar, tobacco and smoke.
Smoky graphite and mineral opening with fully integrated tannins and overall cohesion. Lovely floral and berry mix with mulberry, cassis and currant, lavender, rose, and violet. Strong showing on a 38 year old wine.
#chateauléovillelascases #léovilllascases #stjulien #bordeaux #deuxiemecru #appellationsaintjuliencontrolée
#bordeauxrouge #1986
Plummy, blackberry, dried currants, mulberry, lavender, cedar, tobacco and smoke.
Smoky graphite and mineral opening with fully integrated tannins and overall cohesion. Lovely floral and berry mix with mulberry, cassis and currant, lavender, rose, and violet. Strong showing on a 38 year old wine.
#chateauléovillelascases #léovilllascases #stjulien #bordeaux #deuxiemecru #appellationsaintjuliencontrolée
#bordeauxrouge #1986
Sick nose. Perfumed and complex. Long and silky.
Sick nose. Perfumed and complex. Long and silky.
Jun 15th, 2023