2006 Chateau Leoville Las Cases - St. Julien 2eme Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 95 pts – JA: *Since 1959 the estate has kept 50% of production back for a second release when the wine is ready to drink, and this vintage has not yet seen its mature release (they are currently on the 2004). You can see why - it's an exceptional wine that still needs time in the cellar. The biggest difference that you see between grand vin and second wine is the size, shape and layers of the tannins. Here they are closed, barely getting going and yet unquestionably full of purpose, doing their job of defining and controlling the dark fruits. Coiled energy supports gorgeous crushed cassis and slate. This still has decades ahead of it.* - 11/2018

Falstaff Magazin - 93-95pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe. In der Nase feine Lebkuchengewürzanklänge, angenehme süße Beerenfrucht, Veilchen, Edelholz, ungemein vielschichtig. Am Gaumen sehr stoffig, opulent und süß, ein Wein, der den Mund völlig auskleidet, mit mächtigen, geschmeidigen Tanninen und großem Charme, das will man nicht freiwillig ausspucken, herrliche Länge, dazu kommt die tolle Frische des Jahrgangs, einfach überzeugend.* - 05/2007

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 96pts - NM: *Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then blind at Farr Vintners horizontal, the 2006 Château Léoville Las-Cases has a very complex bouquet with heady scents of blackcurrant, kirsch, crushed violets, rock salt and just a hint of cassis. It is backward and can barely contain its energy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very symmetrical and poised, a fine line of acidity interwoven through the black fruit, touches of citrus fruit developing towards the poised and tensile finish. This is a beautiful wine from Jean-Hubert Delon, but it needs several years in bottle. Tasted April 2016.* - 05/2016

WeinWisser – 20/20pts - WL: *Tiefes Granat mit lila Schimmer. Verrücktes Bouquet, Dörrbananen, dunkle Hölzer, Kokos und Pralinen, Black Currant, Sandelholz, üppig und buttrig im Ansatz. Im Gaumen an einen grossen Ribera del Duero erinnernd, eine fast Tempranillo-hafte Süsse aufweisend, aufgrund des ausufernden Sandelholztouch an amerikanisches Eichenholz erinnernd, Erotik pur. Nach dem kurz zuvor verkosteten Zweitwein war die Erwartung an den Grand Vin nicht riesig gross. Doch einmal mehr zeigt sich, was eine absolut rigorose Selektion bringt («between looking good and great» – wie bei Revlon), dieser Las Cases 2006 ist «very great». Vom Stil und Geschmack her eine Art 1986er, von der Klasse her ein Jahrhundertwein.* – 04/2007

Vinous.com - 94 pts - ST: *Bright, full ruby. Brooding aromas of cassis, black cherry, minerals, bitter chocolate, shoe polish and violet; more Pauillac than Saint-Julien on the nose. Then rich, lush and powerful, with impressive fullness and volume. As full and sweet as this is, there's no impression of excess weight and the back end shows a distinctly austere quality, even if the serious tannins are nicely buffered by the wine's rich middle. Really stains the palate with flavor on the aftertaste. Wonderfully ripe cabernet sauvignon here; in fact, most of the cab franc in 2006 was declassified into the Clos du Marquis.* -05/2009