This is possibly the finest expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from the magical 2018 vintage. Jean-Hubert Delon’s superb clos, adjoining the vines of Chateau Latour, produces exceptionally pure, refined wines with an extraordinary ability to age gracefully for decades. The 2018 has been described by James Suckling as “2016 plus, plus”. It certainly convinced us. There is such effortless power combined with unerring grace. It’s a faultless style; a wine that will appeal to the purists and connoisseurs. Leoville Las Cases is in an elite group along with the likes of Lafite, Latour and Montrose, having produced one of the most profound and exciting wines of the Medoc.
“We produced great Cabernet Franc this year,” Directeur Général Pierre Graffeuille told me during my visit to Léoville Las Cases. Even though only 3% of the press wine was added back, he was also absolutely glowing about the quality of this too. And he should be—the finished blend for the 2018 Léoville Las Cases is yet another triumph for this great estate. Composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, harvested September 15 to October 4 with yields of 35.5 hectoliters per hectare, it has 14.49% alcohol and will be aged in barriques, 90% new. Very deep purple-black in color, it is a little closed to begin, slowly emerging from the glass to reveal subtle woodsmoke, violets, tilled soil and underbrush scents over a core of warm cassis, wild blueberries and redcurrant jelly plus hints of rare beef and iron ore. Full-bodied, rich, super concentrated and bursting with latent energy, this is an atomic bomb waiting to go off in your mouth. It has a rock-solid foundation of firm, very ripe, very finely grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular fruit through the epically long, amazingly nuanced finish. Simply breathtaking. 98-100/100”. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
Read More“OMG. This shows amazing depth of fruit and density. Full-bodied and so layered with incredible fruit and power. Blackberries. Blueberries. Violets. Hints of dried flowers. Fantastic fruit and tannins, yet agile and energetic. The château says 2016 plus, plus. 99-100/100”. - James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com