Château Léoville Las Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2015
Produced from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc from the grand Clos, this is a handsome, rippling Las Cases. Notes of tobacco, briar, crème de cassis, violets and sweet cranberries emerge from the glass. There is no excess here; the palate is restrained yet powerful with cool blackcurrant fruit - this is intensely Cabernet in profile, delivered with pin point accuracy. There is serious muscle and restraint here, a wine that has been sculpted from granite. Those who want opulent, sexy wines should look away; this is for those that like classical beauty and are prepared to be patient!
critic reviews
The 2015 Léoville Las-Cases has an intense bouquet with blackberry, cedar, tobacco, mint and juniper aromas developing in the glass. This is utterly compelling. The palate is very well balanced with more weight and density than the Poyferré. It's spicier with hints of black pepper and cumin toward the persistent finish. This still requires time in bottle but it has huge potential. Tasted at the 2015 Ten-Year-On tasting at Bordeaux Index.
We are here in signature Las Cases territory - a slow burn, a seemingly delicate lace-like tannic structure that is so St Julien, and then builds up to a powerful Pauillac-like squeeze of tannins halfway through the palate. This is an impressively constructed wine, with liquorice, cassis, bilberry and rose bud. Not the most muscular Las Cases (and certainly a long way from the brilliance of the 2016) but joyful, and standing on the edge of its drinking window, which is rare in the world of this powerful 2nd Growth, and makes it one to look out for. 50% new oak for ageing.