Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Château Léoville Las Cases stands as one of Bordeaux’s most storied and prestigious estates, located in the Saint-Julien appellation of France’s famed Médoc region. Revered for its exceptional Cabernet-dominant wines and deep history, Léoville Las Cases is a need to know chateau for lovers of Bordeaux.
Origins and Early History
The history of Leoville as Cases start in the early 17th century, when Jean de Moytié, a member of Bordeaux’s parliament, established a vineyard known as Mont-Moytié in 1638. It was among the first Medoc properties to produce wine, alongside iconic names such as Château Margaux and what would become Château Latour. Over the following century, the land passed by marriage into the hands of Alexandre de Gascq, who renamed the property Léoville.
Léoville was a pioneer: it shifted to growing smaller-berried grape varieties, introduced pinewood trellising for its vines, and used sulfur-rich solutions to clean barrels—techniques that were bold then but are now normal practice across Bordeaux. By the time Alexandre de Gascq passed on, the estate had grown to more than 300 hectares, making it one of the largest in the region.
Divisions and the Birth of Léoville Las Cases
The estate’s fate changed dramatically after the French Revolution, when widespread redistribution resulted in the estate’s division. In the early 19th century, a portion became Château Léoville Barton. In 1840, another segment was claimed by Pierre Jean de Las Cases, which resulted in the creation of Château Léoville Las Cases. Additional land formed Château Léoville Poyferré, and the three properties maintained connected buildings with shared areas—a rare arrangement still visible today.
Noble Families and Modern Ownership
Château Léoville Las Cases passed through several illustrious French families before Theophile Skawinski acquired a share in 1900. Skawinski’s involvement was the beginning that finally led to today’s ownership: the Delon family, with Jean-Hubert Delon now acting as sole owner and also overseeing châteaux Potensac and Nénin.
Vineyard and Terroir
Today, Léoville Las Cases boasts 98 hectares, making it the largest of the three Léoville châteaux. The jewel in its crown is the Grand Clos, a famed walled parcel bordering Pauillac and Château Latour—a mere stream divides their vineyards. The 55 hectares of Enclos form the heart of the estate, featuring deep gravel soils rich in clay and sand, with southeast exposure to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon in an optimal way. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are also grown, planted lower on the slopes and harvested separately.
The vineyard is divided into seven main blocks across 125 individual parcels. The grape varieties planted at Léoville-Las Cases are: Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (19%) and Cabernet Franc (16%). The average age of the vines is 40 years. Until 2002, they also used a small amount of the Petit Verdot grape.
The grape selection is very rigorous. For example: 50% of their crop in 1986 and 67% in 1990 was declassified and considered inferior. Already in 1902,
Classification and Reputation
In 1855, Château Léoville Las Cases was officially recognized as a Deuxième Cru (Second Growth) in Bordeaux’s enduring classification system—a ranking it has maintained ever since, considered by many as equal to the best First Growths in terms of quality and prestige. The estate strengthened its reputation further by introducing Clos du Marquis, its acclaimed second wine, in 1902—the first of its kind in Bordeaux. In 2007, the château added another second label, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases.
Winemaking Philosophy
Léoville Las Cases is appreciated for its combination of Cabernet sauvignon power, complexity and elegancy, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc supporting structure and aromatic nuance. Year after year, the wines are praised for their longevity, depth, and finesse, delivering notes of black fruit, graphite, cedar, and tobacco. They are aged in French oak barrels, using a more than average portion of new oak for the grand vin, and are released only when deemed ready to reflect the estate’s uncompromising standards.
The best Vintages of Leoville las Cases
Approximately 200.000 bottles of Léoville-Las Cases are produced each year. The top vintages are: 1945, 1959, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016.
Highest quality and Innovation
Leoville las Cases is tradition, but evenso high innovation. Léoville Las Cases remains family-owned, allowing continuity in philosophy, vineyard stewardship, and wine style. Its Grand Clos and other parcels are farmed close to 100% organically and oenologic research is the basis for future winemaking.
International Recognition
Léoville Las Cases has received global acclaim, with its wines regularly ranked among Bordeaux’s finest. Its 1971 vintage was awarded sixth place at the legendary “Judgment of Paris” tasting in 1976, gaining more reputation for the exceptional quality and aging of the wines. Critics often compare its best vintages to the first growths, sometimes even noting a “Latour-like” structure, power, and complexity. And that is not surprising, as Chateau Latour is the neighbour and has similar terroir.
Visiting the Estate
The château welcomes visitors to its historic cellars, vineyards, and the story behind centuries of great wines. The Tour presents a nice opportunity to understand the quality and historic caretaking of each bottle.
Legacy in Bordeaux
Today, Château Léoville Las Cases is a worldwide renowned wine and top of the bill in Saint-Julien and the wider Bordeaux region. Its wines remain collectors’ treasures, well sought after and loved for its elegance, aging capability, and signature of the Médoc’s great terroirs. Despite the estate’s evolution, its heart and soul continue to stay in par with tradition, and an enduring passion for excellence.
