Château Léoville Las Cases 2019

Remarkably sleek and pure, considering the generally burly and obvious tannic profile of the vintage. Delivers a pure and unadulterated beam of cassis and plum reduction flavors inlaid seamlessly with a glistening iron girder that seems to have no end point through the finish, where violet, anise and black tea notes shimmer. Reserved overall, with a beautiful austerity, this is an example of how great terroir always shines through -- even in extreme years. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2030 through 2050.

This vintage shows great precision at four years of age, though still very young and precocious. Deep mineral tones leap from the glass, the crushed slate, smoke and bright blue fruits accented by a savoury note of garrigue and lavender. Lovely elegance on the palate as black and red berry fruits are met with an earth-driven minerality. Umami notes of dried morel mushrooms, a touch of soy and chicory lead to wisps of pencil lead. While a joy to taste so young, this wine has a long life ahead.

Currants and blackberries with crushed stones, bark and some conifer and pine cone. Perfumed. Discreet. Medium- to full-bodied with an integrated tannin structure that’s full of fine tannins that are weightless and seamless, building on the palate and coming out at the end. Needs five or six years to open. Texture of heavy silk. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Try after 2027.

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Deep purple-black to the rim. Dark and brooding with immense depth. Blackcurrant and graphite nuance. Beautiful lift on the palate, so much energy and power. Ingrained mineral freshness. Huge tannic base but the texture is smooth and remarkably refined. Zest and force but absolute precision. Lingering and intense, it stays on the palate forever. One of the greats from this estate. (JL)

The new version of classic modern is on display here. While the 2019 lacks the power of the 2018, instead you find one of the few great vintages of Leoville Las Cases that you can enjoy relatively early, which is early for LLC. The wine shows good color with a nose of currants, blackberry, spearmint, tobacco leaf, cigar box, flowers, cedar chest, and espresso. Here you find intensity, ripe, regal, creamy tannins, complexity, and refined textures with length and purity. Give this at least 12 years before popping a cork. The wine is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2028-2060.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fine oak, a hint of nougat, dark berries underneath, some cardamom, dark cherries, a hint of candied oranges. Powerful, taut, tightly meshed, fresh acidity, spicy, supporting tannins, a hint of chocolate on the finish, convincing balance, mineral and very long-lasting, cherries on the finish, a vin de garde, can also be enjoyed young with a few hours in the decanter, enormous future potential.

This is just a great Las Cases where the structure expands upwards and outwards, making your tastebuds sit up and pay attention. The scraping minerality almost feels like you are on limestone instead of gravel soils, until the tannins kick in and you hit a wall of slate, spice, liquorice, rosebud, violet. Dark autumnal fruits of blackcurrant and bilberry are set against smoke and flint, giving no ground, demanding you slow down and take your time. It opens up, but you need to work for it. Exudes authority, a wine that delivers the essence of the property. Harvest September 18 to October 8. 3.67pH, 90% new oak.

What density and power in this bouquet! On its own, it lays down the markers we associate with a great wine; the interplay of finesse and power is the source of greatness! It reveals multiple facets, whether through floral nuances, red or black berries, spices and minerality… and in the end there’s even some chocolate! The Swiss will love it. On the palate, the wine can only confirm the promises on the nose. Its tannins are broad, creamy, very fine and commanding without being overpowering. They are even exacting, carrying all the components along with them right through to the finish. This Léoville Las Cases shows incredible finesse. It does not deny the power for which it is known, nor Léoville’s ability to craft great age-worthy wines, yet it offers remarkable approachability and sets many pleasures in prospect. With this wine, Léoville confirms the greatness of the vintage on the Left Bank, more precisely between St-Julien and St-Estèphe. A great success once again… we could almost get used to it!

A flamboyant Las Cases of truly aristocratic pedigree. Clearly built for long ageing, it already shows a balance and approachability that make it irresistible. Its hallmark tannic frame and the fruit’s restrained power carry it to the very top.