2021 Chateau Leoville Las Cases - St. Julien 2eme Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 95 pts – GH: *A brilliant Las Cases in 2021. Quite a savoury nose - dark chocolate covered blackcurrants, like a Black Forest gâteau as well as such signature Cabernet markers - green pepper, black pepper and mint. This is serious, not as immediately charming or expressive, but grows in stature, expanding slowly while still maintaining a tight, focussed core. Spiced on the tongue, quite marked with sharp fruit that has an almost sour tang to it. You get the Cabernet Franc spice for sure - the highest percentage ever at 15% - alongside structure, length and intention. Acidity is well balanced and the tannins are so fine. Such purity of grape characteristics and terroir markers. Classic in the absolute best sense, there’s no hiding with every detail on show and in time this will be brilliant. Ageing in 85% new barrels. 3.66pH.* - 04/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 96 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Nougat, schwarze Beeren, frische dunkle Kirschen, ein Hauch von Gewürzen, einladendes Bukett. Straff, engmaschig, sehr lebendig, feine Tannine, finessenreich und anhaftend, dezente Süße im Abgang, rote Kirschen im Nachhall, sicheres Reifepotenzial für viele Jahre, der Anteil von Cabernet Franc verleiht dem Wein eine besondere Note.* - 05/2022

Vinum Magazin – 18,5/20 pts: *Grosser Wein in der Linie der klassischen Las Cases, besitzt Dichte, Teife, Spannkraft und enorme Länge, mit grosser Präzision gemacht: Herrlich.*

WeinWisser – 19,5/20pts – GL, TW: *80 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Merlot, 13,2 Vol.-%, pH 3,71, IPT 77, 85 % neue Barriques. Sehr dicht verwobenes Bouquet, frischgepflückte schwarze Johannisbeere, frischer Schattenmorellensaft und betörender Iris- Duft. Im zweiten Ansatz erkalteter Earl Grey- Tee, Heidelbeergelee und Lakritze. Am Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, stützender Rasse, sapidem Extrakt, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, komplex und ungemein präzise, perfekt geformter Körper. Im konzentrierten, reinen Finale eine Explosion Wildkirsche, tiefschürfende Terroirwürze, und nicht enden wollendes Rückaroma, die No. 1 aus St.-Julien mit unglaublichem Lagerpotential, kann in seiner perfekten Trinkreife die Höchstnote erreichen und gehört zu den besten Weinen dieses Jahrganges!* – 04/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 17+/20pts – JL: *80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot. Cask sample. Less restrained than usual at this stage, the nose fresh and fragrant with floral and berry-fruit notes. More elegance than power, the tannins present but finely honed and the fruit expressive. Structured, so potential but not a muscular year.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – 96 pts – AG: *The 2021 Léoville Las-Cases is a wine of elegance and restraint. Yes, I am writing that about a young Las-Cases. Perhaps it is the higher level of Cabernet Franc in this year's blend that adds aromatic presence and gives the wine its refined character. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mint, spice and rose petal linger on the delicate, understated finish.* - 12/2023

Vinous.com – 94 pts – NM: *The 2021 Léoville Las Cases is beautifully defined on the nose: blackberry, raspberry, still that subtle marine element, a hint of Japanese wakame and shucked oyster shells. The oak (85% new) is very well integrated, though it needs some time to be completely subsumed. The palate has exquisite balance—very poised and pure. It is not a heavyweight or powerful Las-Cases, yet there is convincing tension and a judicious dab of spice toward the finish that fans out and lingers. It will require several years in bottle, but it will be worth waiting for. This has the substance to age with style.* - 11/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (94-96) pts – JL: *Dark ruby with hints of purple around the edge, the wine exudes smoke, cedar, tobacco leaf, slate, lead pencil, blackberries, espresso and currants. One of the more powerful wines of the vintage, the wine offers loads of black and red fruits, ripe, present, salty tannins, and a juicy, almost creamy, yet classically structured finish. Produced from a blend 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. 13.20% ABV. This is the first time you find more Cabernet Franc than Merlot in the blend in the history of the estate. Drink from 2025-2055.* - 05/2022