Château Léoville Las Cases 1999

This is so fresh still, just a baby. Blackberry, mineral, floral and blueberry aromas follow through to a full body, with focused, subtle fruit and a racy, refined and reserved tannin structure. This really needs time. Cuddled up in a ball of tannins. -- '89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Best after 2013. 15,000 cases made.

Sweet and muscular and a bit more concentrated than most but – I would submit, m'lud – not more fun. Pretty chunky tannins. Awkward and stolid and thick. Not much appeal. But long, playing the density card. (JR)

The 1999 Léoville Las-Cases is a vintage that I have not encountered for several years. It has a generous bouquet for the vintage, showing slightly gamy red fruit on the nose, and perhaps just a touch of Brettanomyces. Yet it remains attractive, with orange peel scents developing alongside cedar and sous-bois. The medium-bodied palate presents sappy red fruit and a touch of black truffle alongside cedar and a hint of dark chocolate. It is not a complex Las-Cases, yet feels long and quite tender. Drink now and over the next 15 years. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the estate.

One of the few vintages of Leoville Las Cases that drinks well young, this medium bodied, bright, cranberry, cassis, earth and tobacco scented wine is on the lean, tannic side of the style range.