Château Léoville Las Cases 2004

Intense aromas of currant, blackberry and light vanilla. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Layered, with everything in the right proportion for the vintage. Excellent. Reminds me of the 1996. Best after 2012. 20,000 cases made.

I appreciated the classic elegance of the 2004 Léoville-Las Cases, with its power and concentration. However, some tasters at our recent horizontal found the plum fruit, with hints of iron, blood and mineral, a bit austere. In my view, however, this wine has what it takes to go the distance. Although it is currently muscular and tannic, the extract should sustain it through the additional ageing that will burnish it to compelling complexity.

This is so beautiful now with ceps, mushrooms, bark and blackberries, as well as some flowers and black olives. It’s full-bodied, round and soft. Lovely now. Drink and enjoy now, or hold.

Looks quite evolved. Savoury and well balanced. Very dry on the end but with some character. (JR)

A bit stoic, the wine is an old-school, classic, firm Claret with a distinctive green, peppery edge to the bright, crunchy red currants and cranberry fruits on the nose and palate. Definitely not generous, this is better suited for consumers who are not fans of riper vintages.

Showing beautifully, with a classic elegance and beautiful complexity, the 2004 Saint-Julien reveals a healthy ruby hue as well as textbook currants, lead pencil shavings, dried tobacco, and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. It shows the more streamlined, elegant style of the vintage yet has plenty of sweet fruit, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. It's drinking at point today yet should continue evolving and drinking nicely for 15-20 years or so.