Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2016

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Very deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Léoville Las Cases (composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc) is quite closed to begin, yet with patient coaxing it unfurls beautifully to reveal suggestions of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries, warm redcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by touches of unsmoked cigars, tilled red soil, cast iron pan, fallen leaves and lavender plus wonderfully fragrant wafts of lilacs and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly knit, very subtle layers of minerals, floral notions and black and red berries, all framed by exquisitely ripe, silt-like tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Simply captivating even in its youth, give it at least a decade in the cellar and then enjoy it over the next 50+ years."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very complex and alluringly spicy aromas that bubble in and out of the nose, together with fresh tobacco, raspberries and iodine, moving into blackcurrants, blackberries and a gently gravely, stony edge. The palate has incredible polish that is a foil for the intense power and concentration of this wine. The texture is flawless, building smoothly with fine-grained and focused tannins that sustain a long, fresh finish. The new 1986, which was a legend. This is probably better. A blend of 75 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 14 per cent merlot and 11 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2024."

WEINWISSER: "75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot und 11 % Cabernet Franc. Ertrag: Mit 40 hl/ha etwas höher als 2015, aber weniger Grand Vin als 2015: 65 % ohne Clos du Marquis. Tiefes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Konzentrierte Cassisnase, dahinter Pumpernickel und edle Würze sowie Veilchen aufsteigend, im zweiten Ansatz kommen dunkle Edelhölzer zum Vorschein. Am Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, das ist pure St.-Julien-Klasse – une beauté par excellence! Im Finale zeigt er eine unglaubliche Länge mit grosser Eleganz. Ganz grosser las-Cases, der in der perfekten Trinkreife die Maximalnote erreichen kann. Für mich die Nr. 1 in St.-Julien!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2016 Léoville Las Cases is the finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate; in fact, in this reviewer’s opinion, this magical, perfect wine couldn’t be better. Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc aged 22 months in 90% new oak, it reveals a deep, saturated purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of crème de cassis, iris flowers, graphite, crushed rocks, and freshly sharpened lead pencils. A perfect example of the old saying “an iron fist in a velvet glove,” it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, stacked mid-palate, flawless integration of its acidity and tannins, and a monster finish. The balance and purity here are off the charts. Hide bottles for a decade or so and enjoy over the following half a century."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, dezente Randaufhellung, zart nach Lakritze und Cassis, tabakige Nuancen, feiner Edelholztouch, zart nach kandierten Orangenzesten. Kraftvoll engmaschig, reife Kirschen, präsente, integrierte Tannine, frischer Säurebogen, dunkle Beerenfrucht im Abgang, gut anhaltend, zitroniger Touch, mineralischer Nachhall, ein Vin der Garde, der gute zehn Jahre bis zur ersten Trinkreife benötigen wird."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This has really expanded since my initial barrel tasting. The nose explodes, literally! The fruit jumps from the glass, it is that concentrated. Blackberry, cassis and tobacco are all over the place. This is so concentrated, you can almost eat it with a spoon! The fruit coats your mouth. But it is the level of density and freshness, coupled with all those sweet, pure fruit sensations that let you know, this wine means business. You can actually feel the fruit expand on your palate! This is what great wine is all about. Produced from a blend 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is really dense, yet remarkably polished and poised, delivering wave after wave of blueberry, açaí berry, raspberry and blackberry puree notes, all while warm tar and sweet tobacco details cruise underneath. There's a long, smoldering cast iron note through the finish that adds both austerity and authority in a truly unique manner. Best from 2025 through 2045. 13,333 cases made. — JM"

DECANTER: DECANTER:" Las Cases is firmly positioned at the top of the second growths and, tasting this wine, it is easy to see why. There is no hurry to drink this though. Intense and tightly wound, there is a stony, mineral edge which, combined with the pure, dark currant fruit, spicy oak, firm tannins and lingering acidity, suggest this will blossom in five years and live for 50."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Dominated by the great Cabernet Sauvignon vines of the clos of Léoville las Cases, this wine is superbly rich and smoky while being stylish. Its power comes from the complexity, ripe fruits and dense tannins.This wine has enormous potential. Drink from 2025."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Sweet start and a very deep colour. Intense and minerally. Massively stony and dense. Sinews to the fore! Thick and sweet – a little foot-dragging at the moment but it’s got everything and the kitchen sink in there waiting to open out. Very dramatic and concentrated."