Leoville Lascases

Tasting Notes:
The 1999 Clos de Marquis reveals sweet black currant fruit on the attack, but the finish is tannic and compressed. Drink it over the next decade. Wine Advocate # 140 Apr 2002
Parker Points: 86
Drinking Period: 2002 - 2012

Tasting Notes:
Perfectionist owner Jean-Hubert Delon believes the 2006 Leoville Las Cases recalls the greatness of the 1986 and 1996. The natural alcohol came in at 13.3%, and only 40% of the production made it into the final blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. This backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort exhibits sweet, pure black cherry, raspberry, and cassis characteristics, soft, ripe tannin, and medium body. It reveals a strong similarity to its next door neighbor, Chateau Latour. The 2006 Las Cases will require 5-8 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 25-30 years. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
Perfectionist owner Jean-Hubert Delon believes the 2006 Leoville Las Cases recalls the greatness of the 1986 and 1996. The natural alcohol came in at 13.3%, and only 40% of the production made it into the final blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. This backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort exhibits sweet, pure black cherry, raspberry, and cassis characteristics, soft, ripe tannin, and medium body. It reveals a strong similarity to its next door neighbor, Chateau Latour. The 2006 Las Cases will require 5-8 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 25-30 years. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
Perfectionist owner Jean-Hubert Delon believes the 2006 Leoville Las Cases recalls the greatness of the 1986 and 1996. The natural alcohol came in at 13.3%, and only 40% of the production made it into the final blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. This backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort exhibits sweet, pure black cherry, raspberry, and cassis characteristics, soft, ripe tannin, and medium body. It reveals a strong similarity to its next door neighbor, Chateau Latour. The 2006 Las Cases will require 5-8 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 25-30 years. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
Perfectionist owner Jean-Hubert Delon believes the 2006 Leoville Las Cases recalls the greatness of the 1986 and 1996. The natural alcohol came in at 13.3%, and only 40% of the production made it into the final blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. This backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort exhibits sweet, pure black cherry, raspberry, and cassis characteristics, soft, ripe tannin, and medium body. It reveals a strong similarity to its next door neighbor, Chateau Latour. The 2006 Las Cases will require 5-8 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 25-30 years. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
The 2005 Leoville Las Cases is revealing more power, weight, and richness than it did last year. Made from 37% of the total production, it is a blend of 87.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A dense ruby/purple hue is accompanied by abundant amounts of sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, pain grille, graphite, and crushed rock-like characteristics. The high tannin levels and freshness noted a year ago remain intact, but the wine has filled out in the middle, revealing greater richness as well as fuller body. It appears set for an incredibly long life. From its birth, Jean-Hubert Delon has compared the 2005 to the 1996 and 1986 produced by his father, and that has become even more evident as it has aged in barrel. This classic St.-Julien should be at its peak between 2018-2050+. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2018-2050

Tasting Notes:
The solidly made 2003 Leoville Las-Cases (13.2% alcohol) is a blend of 70.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.2% Merlot, and 12.6% Cabernet Franc. In this incredibly hot vintage, the alcohol is slightly lower than achieved in 2002, a cool-climate year. While not a profound example of Las-Cases, the 2003 is muscular, deep, and full-bodied with an impressive ruby/purple color, a tight but juicy bouquet of vanilla, black cherries, crushed rocks, and flowers, a sweet attack, and moderately high tannin. Backward and fresh, displaying impeccable delineation and purity, it can be enjoyed between 2012-2023. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2012-2023

Tasting Notes:
This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
The 1999 Leoville Las Cases possesses a dense purple color as well as classic aromas of vanilla, black cherries, and currants mixed with subtle toasty oak. The wine is medium-bodied with sweet tannin, yet it remains young, backward, and unevolved (unusual for a 1999). Its extraordinary purity and overall harmony give it a character all its own. This excellent Las Cases will be at its finest between 2006-2022. Wine Advocate #140 (Apr 2002).
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2006-2022

Tasting Notes:
Having previously rated it near perfect, I was apprehensive of a letdown about tasting the 1996 Leoville Las Cases once it had been bottled, but concern was quickly dismissed once I put my nose in the glass. A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux, rivaling what proprietors Michel and Jean_hubert Delon have done in vintages such as 1990, 1986 and 1982. The 1996's hallmark remains sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple colour is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St Julien made in the shadow of its next door neighbour, Latour. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7 - 8 years. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 4/99.
Parker Points: 98 +
Drinking Period: 2007-2035

Tasting Notes:
Having previously rated it near perfect, I was apprehensive of a letdown about tasting the 1996 Leoville Las Cases once it had been bottled, but concern was quickly dismissed once I put my nose in the glass. A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux, rivaling what proprietors Michel and Jean_hubert Delon have done in vintages such as 1990, 1986 and 1982. The 1996's hallmark remains sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple colour is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St Julien made in the shadow of its next door neighbour, Latour. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7 - 8 years. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 4/99.
Parker Points: 98 +
Drinking Period: 2007-2035

Tasting Notes:
Having previously rated it near perfect, I was apprehensive of a letdown about tasting the 1996 Leoville Las Cases once it had been bottled, but concern was quickly dismissed once I put my nose in the glass. A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux, rivaling what proprietors Michel and Jean_hubert Delon have done in vintages such as 1990, 1986 and 1982. The 1996's hallmark remains sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple colour is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St Julien made in the shadow of its next door neighbour, Latour. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7 - 8 years. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 4/99.
Parker Points: 98 +
Drinking Period: 2007-2035

Tasting Notes:
If it were not for the prodigious 1996, everyone would be concentrating on getting their hands on a few bottles of the fabulous 1995 Leoville-Las-Cases, which is one of the vintage's great success stories. The wine boasts an opaque ruby/purple color, and exceptionally pure, beautifully knit aromas of black fruits, minerals, vanillin, and spice. On the attack, it is staggeringly rich, yet displays more noticeable tannin than its younger sibling. Exceptionally ripe cassis fruit, the judicious use of toasty new oak, and a thrilling mineral character intertwined with the high quality of fruit routinely obtained by Las Cases, make this a compelling effort. There is probably nearly as much tannin as in the 1996, but it is not as perfectly sweet as in the 1996. The finish is incredibly long in this classic. Only 35% of the harvest was of sufficient quality for the 1995 Leoville-Las-Cases. Wine Advocate #115 (Feb 1998).
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2005-2025

Tasting Notes:
My notes on the 1989 and 1990 wines have been consistent over the last three years. The 1989 continues to lose ground, although it is obviously an outstanding wine, while the 1990 continues to escalate in quality. The 1990 continues to put on weight and richness, and it now clearly appears to be the superior vintage for Leoville-Las-Cases. The 1990 reveals a dense, dark purple color, followed by a sweet, pure nose of black fruits, minerals, lead pencil, and vanillin. Broad, expansive flavors come across as rich, pure, and concentrated, but never heavy or coarse. Beautifully integrated tannin and acidity are barely noticeable in this classic, full-bodied, velvety-textured, youthful yet exceptional St.-Julien. The 1990 is more fun to taste than the 1989, but readers should not interpret that comment to suggest it is ready to drink. This wine needs another 5-6 years of cellaring, after which it should last for 20-25 years. Wine Advocate #109 (Feb 1997).
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2002-2027

Tasting Notes:
The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases, which Delon continues to believe is his finest vintage in the eighties (even eclipsing the 1982), still exhibits a black/purple color with no signs of age. The nose offers up aromas of exceptionally ripe cassis fruit intertwined with scents of vanillin, minerals, and spices. The wine is full-bodied, exceptionally well-delineated, and phenomenally concentrated. Still unevolved and youthful, this is one of the most profound Leoville-Las-Cases, but for my palate, it remains a notch behind both the 1982 and 1996. Last tasted 3/97 Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2003-2030

Tasting Notes:
100 points. The 1982 Leoville-Las Cases remains one of the awesome examples of this great vintage. Rich, full-bodied, and backward, this thick-looking, opaque ruby/purple-colored wine is just beginning to display aromatic development. Jammy aromas of cassis intertwined with scents of vanilla, lead pencil, cedar, melted caramel, and toast are followed by a massively-endowed, full-bodied wine that will benefit from another 7-10 years of cellaring. This hugely impressive, low acid Las Cases is crammed with ripe fruit. It is the most hedonistic and concentrated Leoville-Las Cases I have ever tasted, just eclipsing the other-worldly 1986. It is approachable now, but my instincts suggest more patience. Drink it between 2000-2030 . It is a monumental wine! Tasted 23 times since bottling with consistent notes. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 12/95.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
I never tasted this wine in the early seventies when it was reputedly at its best. Recent examples have been dry, astringent, acidic, and revealing a glaring deficiency in fruit. Anticipated maturity: Now-probably in serious decline. Last tasted, 5/86. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 71
Drinking Period: 1986