Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2005

Description

”The buds burst at the beginning of April, after a dry and rather cold winter. The blossoming began in the last week of May in good weather conditions and was quick and even on all the grape varieties. The hydric stress became more visible throughout June, stunting the growth in the young grapes and limiting their size early in the summer. The colour change was quick and even and the bunches continued to ripen through August which was still very dry and sunny, although not excessively hot. These ideal conditions resulted in very concentrated and perfectly balanced grapes./ TASTING NOTES WINE SPECTATOR 98/100 Sleek and racy, with black currant and fig fruit laced liberally with a bright iron streak and singed alder notes. This is very tightly coiled, as the fruit seems to be preserved for now, while the cold fireplace character holds sway. A superb energy in reserve gives this more than enough time to wait. Could outlast them all in this vintage.–Blind ’01/’03/’05 Bordeaux retrospective December 2017. Best from 2025 through 2050. February 2018 James MOLESWORTHROBERT PARKER / WINE ADVOCATE 98+/100 Another titanic effort from the Delon family, the 2005 Leoville Las Cases is probably the greatest wine made at this estate since Jean-Hubert Delons father produced the 1986 and 1996. Only 37% of the production made it into the 2005, a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with less than 13% Merlot and Cabernet Franc.TASTING NOTES – SUITE An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by reticent aromatics that, with considerable coaxing, offer up subtle notes of toasty vanillin intermixed with lead pencil shavings, wet rocks, and enormously ripe, intense black cherry and creme de cassis. The wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel as well as enormous extract, concentration, and purity. This ageless, monumental claret requires a minimum of 15-20 years to approach maturity, and should last for a half century. It is about as classic a Leoville Las Cases as one will find. Anticipated maturity 2020-2060 Avril 2008.” – Chateau Leoville Las Cases*95-97 /100 Wine Enthusiast