Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2023

Tasting Notes

First impression is cool and dark. It smells of black currants, crushed graphite and cedar pencil sharpeners. Cabernet Franc lends floral notes reminiscent of violets, while Merlot fills the middle of the palate with ripe plums. The tannins are firm and fine-grained, coating the gums rather than drying them out. The acidity permeates the entire palate. The finish is long and savory, with the saline minerality that the Grand Clos always delivers. Young wine. Drink patiently and you will be rewarded.

Grape Varieties

Léoville Las Cases is made from Cabernet Sauvignon planted on deep gravel in the Grand Clos. A typical domaine breakdown looks something like this:

• About 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, with black currant, graphite and firm tannins.
• Merlot, about 19%, fills the middle part of the palate with plums and soft flavors.
• About 16% Cabernet Franc, lending floral notes and pepperiness.

Why this particular blend? While the 2023 vintage is cooler, the Merlot helps temper the tartness.

Cellaring Potential

Drink between 2030 and 2050; the 2023 has the firm Cabernet tannins and bright acidity that a long-lived Saint-Julien needs, but it's not made for early satisfaction; store at 12-14°C; expect tobacco, leather and truffles around the 15th year.

The Producer

Jean-Hubert Delon is the latest generation of the family that has been building this estate since 1900 on a foundation laid in 1638. But what makes the Delon family stand out? Their willingness to sacrifice quantity for quality. In difficult vintages, they have been known to downgrade up to 67% of the harvest. This no-compromise approach explains why Las Cases is consistently rated among the top second growths. Best of Wine considers this estate to be one of the most reliable producers in Bordeaux.

Terroir & Vineyard

The 55-hectare Grand Clos vineyard is located right next to Château Latour. Only a small stream separates these two legendary estates. This proximity is no accident. Both estates share the same deep Gunz gravel soils overlying a clay-limestone subsoil deposited during the Pleistocene period. So what makes Las Cases different? Its prime southeastern location brings optimal morning sun while avoiding the intense midday heat. These well-drained gravel soils store heat during the day and release it at night, allowing for a longer growing season and allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to fully ripen even in difficult years.

Winemaking

The Delon family has kept the tradition alive while adding modern touches. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit before it goes into barrels. Important decisions are made after malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barriques for 18-20 months. This may sound aggressive, but the Grand Clos vineyard produces fruit with enough concentration for this. The result? We end up with the layered, complex flavors that Saint-Julien is known for, with notes of cedar and tobacco along with black currants.

Food Pairing

Tannins require protein, which is why Côtes de Boeuf is so well suited to this wine. Beef fat softens the wine's structure, and the iron-rich meat responds to the terroir. Roasted duck breast with cherry gastrique is a perfect bridge between the wine's fruitiness and its earthy notes. Of the cheeses, choose a mature Comté or Roquefort. The salty and umami flavors balance the wine's intensity; serve at 16-18 °C and decant for at least an hour. The wine will show patience at the table as well as in the cellar.