Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2002

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Another underrated vintage for this estate is the 2002 Léoville Las Cases, an impressively deep and concentrated wine that still has considerable upside potential. Offering up aromas of crème de cassis, plums, loamy soil, pencil shavings and nicely integrated new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a deep core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins. This is a concentrated, characterful classic that is aging with real grace. I have enjoyed three bottles this year, but there's no rush, as the wine remains an adolescent in terms of evolution."

JAMES SUCKLING: „Aromas of tobacco box, currants, cedar and mushrooms. It’s medium-to full-bodied with austere tannins and black-chocolate and licorice flavors. So much licorice, in fact. Linear and tight with a racy finish. Delicious now. Why wait?“

DECANTER: „Not the easiest summer, although hot weather in September meant that this is a better vintage on the Left Bank where Cabernet was able to ripen - and here 81% of the blend is either Cabernet Sauvignon or Franc. Intense cassis, clear Las Cases signature, slight austerity still with a beautifully silky texture and a crushed mint leaf freshness. This has the understated savoury Cabernet character of the vintage, not as intense as some Las Cases vintages for certain, but this is packed with confident fruit and tannins and it is starting to open up, softening and showing its personality. As it evolves in the glass, the delicate complexity of the structure starts to exert its charm, and gentle truffled liquorice notes sit next to smoked blackberries. I started this as a Coravin sample, but in the end felt that was unfair, because it needs to be opened for a few hours before really starting to show what it's about. Think of this as a great way to access Las Cases at an earlier window than usual, but it is not one to cellar indefinitely. Tasted twice, once at home and once at the château. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend - the last time that this variety is in the 1st wine of Las Cases, as they were then field grafted over to Cabernet Sauvignon."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is the essence of currants and berries with minerals and flowers. Full-bodied, with silky, refined tannins. Superlong and impressive. A beauty. Love it. As it should be. Best after 2008. — JS"

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Feinwürzig, tabakig, etwas verhaltene Frucht, entwickelt sich gut im Glas. Saftig, rotbeerige Nuancen, feine Tannine, mineralisch und gut anhaltend, frisch und straff, salziger Nachhall."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "From a blend of 66.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 13.9% Cabernet Franc and 4.5 Petit Verdot, this still youthful, tannic wine is full bodied, concentrated and powerful. Lots of black fruits, earth, forest floor and tobacco here, with a long, deep, fruit filled finish. Give it a few more years."