Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien
    Château Léoville Las Cases

    Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien,

    Destination

    vintage

    Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 1996

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note
    Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 1996
    Maturity:
    Keep/Drink
    ABV:
    12.5%
    100/100
    Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
    I think we can officially declare 25 years as being the sweet spot for Léoville Las Cases - at least in slow-ageing vintages such as 1996, which is so perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Still full-bodied and concentrated even now, but generous also, with cassis, tobacco and cigarbox smoke softening the edges of flint-chiselled tannic frame. As I said during the Berry Bros supper where we opened this wine, Las Cases can be almost Burgundian-like in how elusive it is (in this case because of how stubborn and tannic it can prove), but when you get the one bottle that sings, it's all worth it. This more than proves the point. Michel Delon owner at the time.
    Date Reviewed:
    11/2021
    Drinking Window:
    2021 - 2040
    96+/100
    Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
    Saturated bright, dark ruby. Perfumed, vibrant, very youthful aromas of cassis, violet and bitter chocolate. Dense and powerful, with great clarity of flavor thanks to a terrific spine of acidity. Almost painfully structured wine but not at all hard. Finishes very long and gripping, with a note of bitter chocolate. Drink 2012 through 2040.
    Date Reviewed:
    07/2002

    specifications

    country:
    France
    region:
    Bordeaux
    Appellation:
    St Julien
    Producer:
    Château Léoville Las Cases
    style:
    Red
    Grape Variety:
    Cab Sauvignon Merlot
    Allergen Information:
    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.

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    Château Léoville Las Cases

    Château Léoville Las Cases

    Following the death of the Marquis de Las Cases, the vast Leoville estate was split into three. The Marquis’ son Jean-Pierre took the third that is now Leoville Las Cases, the Marquis’ daughter, Jeanne’s share became what we know as Leoville Poyferre following her marriage to the Baron de Poyferre and the final third was auctioned off and purchased by Hugh Barton.

    The great clos of Leoville Las Cases with its grand gates and stone lion is one of the most iconic images of the Medoc. This vast vineyard occupies the most favourable site in the northernmost corner of St Julien. The vineyard is separated from the Grand L'Enclos of Latour by a little ditch. If the 1855 Classification were to be rewritten today, Leoville Las Cases would certainly be a prime candidate for promotion.

    Jean-Hubert Delon manages the estate producing wines of great stature and nobility. When Las Cases is on song, it is hard to find anything as enthralling; it is one of the great Cabernet based wines of the world. They have recently introduced a very impressive second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases. Clos de Marquis hails from plots to the west of the D2 which weren't part of the original Leoville estate. These vineyards are surrounded by three notable second growths: Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton and Pichon Lalande.

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