2011 CH LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2ÈME CRU ST JULIEN - 3x300cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2012,
  Score: 93-95

  A great Leoville Las Cases in the making and one that stands alongside any of the 1st growths in this vintage. The deep purple colour reflects the brilliant cassis fruit aromas, a wine which opens with an initial velvety texture and develops in the mouth to show its huge weight of fruit, richness and intensity. A very concentrated wine which expresses enormous class. Outstanding.

• 

  Robert Parker, April 2012,
  Score: 93-95+

  One of the thrilling successes of the vintage is, not surprisingly, the 2011 Leoville Las Cases. Analytically, this ripe wine has statistical numbers that are almost identical to their 2010. The fruit was cropped at 27 hectoliters per hectare, the wine aged in 80% new French oak, and the final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc came in at 13.4% natural alcohol. It boasts an opaque inky/purple color along with gloriously pure aromas of creme de cassis, black raspberries, vanillin and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with abundant glycerin and ripe but noticeable tannin, this beauty is potentially one of the longest lived and finest wines of the vintage. It should be drinkable in 5-6 years and last for 2-3 decades. Drink: 2017-2047.

• 

  James Suckling, April 2012,
  Score: 93-94

  Intense aromas of currants and blackberries with minerals. Full body, with an serious density for the vintage, and racy tannin and acidity. It goes on very long. Reminds me a little of 1996. Very classic style.

• 

  Decanter, April 2012,
  Score: 17

  Dense colour, nose still shut in yet the richness is there and the fruit will come out, a real statement of vineyard style, a superb long-term wine. Drink 2020-2050. (4 stars).

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2012,
  Score: 18

  Very low yields this year. Some fruit burnt in the heat spike of June. Across the whole estate the yields were 26 hl/ha. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. Rich inky crimson with deep purple crimson rim. Not as open on the nose as the Clos du Marquis. 'Very Léoville Las Cases.' Deep and dark and closed on the nose though you know it is intense. Great power and structure in the mouth but the structure is less obdurate than in many years. Dense but not heavy. Very firm. Drink 2021-2040.

• 

  Wine Spectator, April 2012,
  Score: 93-96

  This has very solid guts, with dark, almost brooding plum compote, currant paste and anise notes, followed by a hint of roasted juniper wood on the finish, which smolders nicely. An iron hint lurks throughout as well.

More Tasting Notes Hide More Tasting Notes

Producer

Château Léoville Las Cases

If ever another wine gets promoted to first growth category, Léoville Les Cases will undoubtedly bethe one. Owned by the Delon family, this château is comprised of 97 hectares of vineyards. However,unlike most of its Médoc neighbours, it only uses the vineyards classified in the original 1855 classification, an area called "Le Grand Enclos", to make its grand vin.