Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der Léoville Las Cases 2021 hat eine intensive, super viskose Farbe. Extrem dicht, süß und massiv, präsentiert er sich sogleich im Geruch sehr komplex und verdichtet, mit großer Intensität, aber eben nicht super üppig. Satt und intensiv, wirkt er im Mund nicht fett oder breit, vielmehr durchdringend strukturiert und lang, mit detaillierten, engmaschigen Gerbstoffen und grandioser Balance. Authentischer Charakter, Frische und Länge stehen hier im Vordergrund. Ein großer Las Cases, der ewig frisch und anmutig erscheinen wird. 13.2 Vol.-% Alkohol, zu 85 % in neuen Barriques ausgebaut. Und vom neuen Holz ist nichts spürbar!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine's powerful density comes from the black-currant flavors and tannic core. Wood, leather and concentration all show in the aromas. It is a serious, powerful wine with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A classic Leoville Las Cases with blackcurrants, blackberries, stone, graphite and lavender aromas that follow through to a medium body with firm and refined tannins and a juicy finish. Plenty of subtle flavor at the end. Racy tannins. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. Already very integrated and attractive but will be even better in three or four years."

DECANTER: "Utterly captivating on the nose, fragrant and floral with soft orange flecks, sweet cedar and cinnamon. Textured like heavy silk, weighty with a hold to the tannins that says ‘I’m a serious wine’, offering energy and focus. Precision and density, finessed layering that lets the wine deepen and expand over time. Not immediately as attention-seeking as some, but this is classy no doubt and ultimately calls for another sip, and then another. A gorgeous wine that is all the better for what it’s not saying at this point."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Nougat, schwarze Beeren, frische dunkle Kirschen, ein Hauch von Gewürzen, einladendes Bukett. Straff, engmaschig, sehr lebendig, feine Tannine, finessenreich und anhaftend, dezente Süße im Abgang, rote Kirschen im Nachhall, sicheres Reifepotenzial für viele Jahre, der Anteil von Cabernet Franc verleiht dem Wein eine besondere Note."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, the 2021 Château Léoville Las Cases is flat-out brilliant and brings that classic Las Cases regalness and structure. Cassis, graphite, lead pencil shavings, crushed stone, and an almost bloody, salty character all define this riveting 2021, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a great mid-palate, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It has more mid-palate density and depth than just about every other wine in the vintage, and despite its structure, it's going to be relatively accessible in just 5-7 years. It will most likely be one of the longest-lived in the vintage."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Leoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a fair bit of swirling and coaxing to reveal a pronounced core of cassis, Morello cherries, and mulberries, giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of tilled soil, charcoal, violets, and cedar, plus a touch of Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers impressive, tightly wound layers of black fruits and minerals, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long and perfumed. All minerals and florals - very pretty!"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Shows a rare level of finesse, depth and balance in this vintage, with a stream of black currant coulis carried by a pinpoint of acidity, while charcoal and sweet tobacco accents run along the edges. The long, iron-tinged finish offers a late hint of violet and almost no grain. A terrific effort for the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2040."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Less restrained than usual at this stage, the nose fresh and fragrant with floral and berry-fruit notes. More elegance than power, the tannins present but finely honed and the fruit expressive. Structured, so potential but not a muscular year."