![Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien [BS]](https://horizonlives3.diageohorizon.com/PR1600/media/images/bottles/family-bottle-0.jpg?fm=avif&q=30 "Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien [BS]")
critic reviews
A little less vibrant in colour than the 1982, this is closer to tawny than rose, with welcoming soot and hearth smoke on the nose, and on the first palate. The fruit is plum and loganberry, softened and atumnal, with dark spice - the Petit Verdot is making its presence felt in those early years, marking it out from the post 2005 years when this grape no longer appears. Elegant and precise, with fine tannins, softens on the finish, this is in its drinking window, revs up halfway through and again has the precise elegance that makes it so much St Julien once in its mature phase. Great, but not as good as the 1982. 50% new oak. Michel Delon owner.
As one might expect, this is a brilliant wine, but it remains shockingly young, even for the fast evolving 1990s. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a classic, nearly restrained set of aromatics that includes notions of sweet black cherries, black currants, lead pencil, and wet stones. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, and while technically low in acidity, there is a freshness, delineation, and classicism in this full-throttle, rich, concentrated, impeccable 1990. While still youthful, it is easy to appreciate despite its substantial tannins. It is not quite as backward as the 1990 Lafite Rothschild or 1990 Latour. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. Release price: ($500.00/case)
Saturated ruby-red to the rim. Bound-up but intense nose of licorice, blackcurrant, and chocolate, with lovely oak treatment. Brooding and unevolved on the palate, but the great extract and depth of flavor are easy to appreciate. Brilliantly delineated, thanks to sound acidity. Proprietor Delon declassified more than 60% of his crop to make this sensational wine. Endless, firm aftertaste.