2016 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.

100WA

100JD

100JS

98V

98WS

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.

100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Nov 2018)

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.

100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)

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.

100 points, James Suckling (Mar 2020)

The 2016 Léoville Las-Cases was tasted from two bottles, this one more in line with prior experiences. It has a very detailed, powerful bouquet of blackberry, cedar, potpourri and iris aromas that soar from the glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, pitch-perfect acidity and a sense of harmony throughout. It fans out wonderfully on the finish. A 2016 with a sense of completeness and bewitching symmetry. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

98 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Aug 2020)

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.

98 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2019)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%

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$349.88

Compare At: $429.99

12 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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 12

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