2001 Leoville Las Cases (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Here's a rare opportunity to secure top-scoring back vintages from the legendary Chateau Leoville Las Cases! Long considered ‘first among the Super-Seconds’ of Bordeaux with a reputation for First Growth quality, these top vintages from Chateau Leoville Las Cases will evolve for decades to come, some already aged 40 years in pristine cellar conditions, all garnering 95 plus pt. ratings including multiple 100 pt. “perfect” scores, now offered at best on the market pricing.

Bordering Chateau Latour on the northern end of St. Julien overlooking the Gironde, the 98 hectares of Las Cases vineyards are planted in a single block encompassing a mosaic of terroirs, surrounded by walls known as the Grand Clos, its gate topped with a regal lion carved from stone pictured on the Grand Vin’s label. Managed by the Delon family since the late 19th century, the late Michel Delon is credited with implementing changes at Las Cases that fueled its rise in quality over the last 50 years, calling the 1986 his greatest vintage ever (the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker agreed, scoring it a perfect 100 pts.) while Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson called the 100 pt. 2005 Las Cases “one to savor,” both vintages now in their drinking window with decades of enjoyment ahead. Described as “stunning and pure from the get-go” by the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, both Jane Anson and the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss awarded the 2010 Las Cases perfect scores, with Vinous critic Neal Martin describing it in 2020 as “an absolutely awesome Saint Julien with a long life ahead.” Granting it four perfect scores, critics agreed the 2016 might be the best Las Cases to date, with Jeb Dunnuck saying “this magical, perfect wine couldn’t be better” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous calling it “a total stunner” not to be missed.

Mirroring the greatness of this Chateau's Grand Vin year over year, these are all outstanding choices that stand tall among their neighboring First Growth Chateau at a fraction of the price, whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case. Echoing a sports analogy, the Leoville Las Cases bench is deep - and with only home run hitters in the rotation, all of these selections are guaranteed to knock it out of the park. 

97WE
96V
95JS

A classic in development, a wine that will last for decades. It is certainly powerful, but already the shape is finalized, with its plums and berries settling down with perfumes, acidity, just enough tannins and a warm, welcoming richness. A great argument for the superiority of 2001 over 2000.

97 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2007)

The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it, a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly, I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam, spice, graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous, the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases, in fact. But who’s complaining? Certainly not me. Even so, the 2001 is ultimately a mid-weight Las Cases, with plenty of opulent fruit, but not quite the tannic heft that is such a signature of this reference-point St. Julien. Readers lucky enough to own the 2001 are in for a real treat. This is an especially fine bottle, perhaps the finest I have come across. Aside from all the technical analyses and descriptors, what really matters most is that the 2001 is a wine that delivers immense drinking pleasure. I absolutely loved it.

96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2021)

A very typical Las Cases with a Pauillac note, even though it’s St.-Julien. Lead pencil, dried herb, currant and black olive. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and creamy with a long finish. It’s very persistent. Pretty austerity. Be sure to decant this a couple of hours in advance. Drink or hold.

95 points, James Suckling (Feb 2021)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.0%
#FRLLCS01CE
$259.88
Compare At: $299.99
7 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.
Available in Original Wood Case of 6
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