2018 Leoville Las Cases (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

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.

100JD

99WA

99JS

Pure magic and one of the finest expressions of this estate I could imagine, as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Léoville Las Cases comes from a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in (I believe) all new French oak. Its dense purple color is followed by a profound wine loaded with notions of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, melon, crushed stone, tobacco, and violets. Full-bodied, concentrated, and massive on the palate, yet also incredibly well delineated and precise, it has a wonderful mix of seemingly ripe, sunny fruit from a warm year yet the minerality, purity, and precision of a cooler year. This wine is going to be just about immortal; however, do your best to hide bottles for a solid 10-15 years.

100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)

The 2018 Léoville Las Cases is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, harvested September 15 to October 4 with yields of 35.5 hectoliters per hectare, it has 14.49% alcohol and was aged in 90% new barriques. Deep purple-black colored, it needs a fair bit of coaxing to reveal striking scents of blackcurrant pastilles, wild blueberries and redcurrant jelly, giving way to notions of crushed rocks, lavender, Indian spices, unsmoked cigars and black truffles, plus a provocative waft of rose oil. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, accented by bright, lively red berry and floral sparks. It has a rock-solid frame of firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully minerally. The tannins are so beautifully approachable even at this youthful stage, making it delicious to drink now, but afford it 5-6 years in bottle to allow those finer nuances to emerge and drink it over the next 40+ years.

99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Mar 2021)

An elegant, complex nose of blackberries, blueberries and herbal and spice notes with dark-chocolate and earthy undertones. Violets, flowers and graphite, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, layered tannins and a crushed-stone undertone throughout the fresh, velvety and layered palate. Very complex, muscular and formed. The finish is endless. Lowest percentage of press wine ever in this. So deep. Try after 2027.

99 points, James Suckling (Mar 2021)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%

#FRLLCS18AE

$289.88

Compare At: $329.99

This item is a pre-order estimated to arrive 10/5/2024. 24 bottles available.

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

Add to Wishlist