Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2020

Weinwisser: "Tiefgründig, vielschichtiges Bouquet, Wildkirsche, schwarze Olive, edle Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz getrockneter Rosmarin, Estragon und Holundersaft. Am sublimen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, perfekt ausgereiften Tanninen, gut stützender, balancierter Rasse, dunkler Mineralik, perfekt geformter Körper. Im konzentrierten langanhaltenden Finale spielt der St. Julien seine ganze Klasse aus – wird immer länger, bleibt dabei elegant und geradlinig wie ein Pfeil – grandiose Leistung. «A Dark Cristal» meint Antoine lächelnd."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "Made from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Merlot, the 2020 Leoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, it erupts from the glass with explosive scents of blackcurrant cordial, stewed blackberries, juicy blackberries, and violets, leading to suggestions of licorice, cinnamon toast, and fertile loam with a touch of truffles. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with loads of nuanced black fruit, earthy, and floral layers, supported by very fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and multi-layered."

James Suckling: "A linear and very racy wine with super fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Superb. It’s full-bodied yet really focused and polished with a length and intensity. Lots of currants and graphite. Very classy and fine. The new 1996. Give it six to seven years to come around."

Jeb Dunnuck: "Another 2020 that's going to demand patience, the 2020 Château Léoville Las Cases is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot that was raised in 80% new French oak. It's a regal, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, flawlessly balanced 2020 with a pure core of cassis and darker currant fruits, a layered, seamless mouthfeel that carries substantial tannins, perfectly integrated oak, and subtle floral, mineral, and leafy herb nuances. Playing in the concentrated yet focused and structured style of the vintage, it's going to need a decade to hit the early phases of its prime drinking window and will have 50-75 years of longevity."

Falstaff: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, fester Kern, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholznuancen, dunkle Beerenfrucht, reife Kirschen, zart nach Pflaumen und kandierten Orangenzesten, facettenreiches Bukett. Saftig, elegant, finessenreich strukturiert, reife Kirschen, etwas Lakritze, perfekt gereifte Tannine, mineralisch und lange anhaftend, sicheres Reifepotenzial, ein wunderbar balancierter Wein, der bereits jung sehr verführerisch sein wird. (2028–2065)"

The Wine Advocate: "The 2020 Léoville Las Cases is a classic in the making, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis, loamy soil, violets and dark chocolate framed by a discreet touch of new oak. Full-bodied, broad and layered, it's rich and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it's built for the cellar."

Decanter: "Perfumed touches on the nose, quite high toned, blackcurrant but almost liqueur with rose petal and candy floss nuances. On the point of ripeness, still tense, not hugely expansive in the mouth or particularly weighty but juicy with a really confident energy to it - vibrant and compelling. Tannins are perfectly integrated, so fine, this has a silky overall texture with a hint of grip coming towards the mid palate. Driven and straight, not deviating from the core. Almost unfriendly, but you know this has been well made - it’s sleek, with sinewy muscles, just caged right now needing time to come around. I love the precision to the elements, there’s such a sharp attention to detail with a liquorice, slate and pencil lead tang. The flavours need coaxing a little; this is a sleeping beauty waiting to awaken, but when it does it will be delicious because of the precision. A wonderful wine that makes you really think about how it’s going to evolve."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with aromas of tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, herbs, black currants, coffee and spice. Refined, fresh, polished and firm, the fruit is vibrant, long and intense. The tannins are ripe almost creamy in texture. The finish is long, regal and compelling, leaving you with layer, of black currants and cassis. Give this at least 12-15 years before popping a cork and enjoy it for the next 3 decades after that. The wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, 13.68% ABV, 3.80 pH. The harvest took place from September 12 - September 27, making this the earliest vintage since 1989."

Wine Spectator: "Sleek and slightly austere in feel, with a cold cast iron note framing a core of tightly compressed cassis, plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Shows subtle flashes of tobacco and smoldering charcoal, as the finish lingers with verve. A stoic red. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2030 through 2045."

Jancis Robinson: "Intense, subtle and reserved. Just a hint of spice and cedar. Dense and tightly woven on the palate, the texture smooth and refined. Tannins firm but finely etched, the manifest acidity reinforcing the structure and helping with length and persistence. Adequate flesh to mask the tannins. Plenty of potential."