Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2009

WEINWISSER: "Ertrag: 38 hl/ha. Der Grand Vin, eine Assemblage von 76 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot und 9 % Cabernet Franc, reift in zu 65 % neuem Holz. Sattes Purpur-Granat. Im Bouquet ein Wahnsinnscocktail von verschiedenen Beeren, konzentriert und bereits gebündelt, Amarenakirschen, Cassis und Waldhimbeeren, sehr frisch, ein delikates Cabernet-Parfüm mit Noten von Trüffel, Zitronenthymian und Minze verströmend. Am Gaumen körperreich und komplex, mit unglaublich viel Süsse in den veloursartig gegliederten Tanninen, feine Kokosaromen, Veilchen und Cassis. Der Pressweinanteil (6,4 %) verleiht dem Extrakt eine gewaltige Szechuanpfefferwürze und stützt den reichen Körper. Erinnert an den 1982er, dürfte aber deutlich feiner und klassischer sein."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Let yourself go and sink into this deep dark chasm that will swallow you whole if you let it. Enormous concentration, but every bit as much finesse, the finish extremely long and fine. And this is just beginning to give its best! Drink or hold."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "If you like great Cuban Cigars, the nose here has your name on it. From there, add forest floor, leaf, red fruits, spice, flowers and a waft of smoke. Full-bodied, powerful, graceful and concentrated, this is a perfect example of classic Bordeaux at its best. The wine is firm, focused, fresh, pure and mouth-filling, Light on its feet, especially when you consider the level of density found here, the fruit is what stands out the most, for its vibrancy, purity and length. If you need to see what this is about now, give it 2-3 hours of air. If you can wait, this will rock your glass in another decade or so!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Still a baby, the 2009 Château Leoville Las Cases is largely in the mold of the 1990 and 1982, offering a sexy opulence while staying in the classic, structured style of the estate. Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, its still ruby/purple hue is followed by a sensational array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, green tobacco, exotic spices, and incense. With incredible purity, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this magical Saint-Julien is just now starting to reveal some secondary nuances and won't hit full maturity for another decade. It should see its 75th birthday in fine form."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Attraktive schwarze Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Cassis und Lakritze, mineralisch, zarte Edelholzwürze, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten, sehr facettenreiches Bukett. Saftig, reife Herzkirschen, feine Extraktsüße, reife Tannine, finessenreich und frisch, mineralisch und anhaftend, verfügt über große Eleganz, enorme Länge und Riesenpotenzial, bereits sehr verführerisch, antrinkbar und mit Potenzial für viele Jahrzehnte gerüstet."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A beautifully structured wine, with its tannins layered between the ripest black plums, damsons and black currants. It is opulent while remaining dense, concentrated and very serious. Certainly a wine for long-term aging."

WINE SPECTATOR: " This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035. 14,165 cases made."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is aging very gracefully, exhibiting all the plenitude and generosity of the vintage without any of its potential excesses. Offering up aromas of sweet cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, spices and a deft touch of classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a layered core of fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, beautifully defined finish. It's at the beginning of what will be a long drinking window."

DECANTER: "Being Léoville-Las Cases, it is, as you would expect, still pretty determined to play its cards close to its chest. And yet the exuberance and generosity of 2009 is beginning to peep though. For those of us who lack patience, these kind of years are just brilliant for checking out what Las Cases is all about: brooding tannins are just starting to stir, controlling a tight-knit cassis, cigar box, pencil lead and liquorice body. You feel the skill in the unpeeling of the tannins, opening to reveal the perky fresh core, and you can see just why this is such a great estate."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Crimson with a mature rim. Leafy nose of medium intensity. Round tannins initially but a very drying finish. Correct rather than thrilling. It may develop into something more charming …? But it developed beautifully in the glass and is wonderfully glamorous."