Drunk for the first time in 2020, it made a strong impression on me.
Nose of incredible precision: black fruits, tobacco, precious wood and a touch of spice.
The mouth is as deep as it is precise. This wine alone offers a dive into Bordeaux classicism: of breathtaking elegance, the wine is serene, balanced and spherical with incredible depth: the black fruit gradually fades away for the tobacco, which itself leaves the make way for leather, then cedar… The juice is dense, served by a filigree acidity which stretches the whole in a harmonious way. The wine is both delicate but it imposes its presence in a natural way. It has barely changed compared to my memories of 2020. Finale with a delicious texture, spicy and crystalline at the same time which stretches endlessly.
Great Bordeaux. I have Mouton and Lafite in this vintage, curious to put it against these two big names and Chateau Margaux 1996 which also seems majestic.
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2nd bottle because first was flawed, very nice bordeaux nose, nicely balanced on palate, what stopped me from giving a higher score was the short length
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Second bottle in three months. I really like the 1996 vintage for its classic restrained fruit and typical left bank aromas which become so well defined in this vintage. Leoville Las Cases is as always the biggest and most complex of all the Leovilles. It really outshown competition in 1996. This is clearly Premier Cru quality and it might just be imagination, but the nearness to Latour can be noticed in the glass. Great wine!
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From a bottle purchased a couple years ago at a cellar sale, with a like-new fill and a strong cork soaked only one-quarter of an inch in one spot—so a well cared for example, it would seem.
Taking the advice of other CT tasters, I decanted for three hours and served. In the end, the concentration proved to be adequate at best, and although it filled out a bit in the decanter, the wine remained underwhelming. It wasn’t old and it wasn’t young, and while everything was quite correct, it came across as nothing more than a rather generic older wine lacking any real complexity. The nose was the best part by far, and even that was fairly generic. The palate was rustic and a bit uneven.
I didn’t get the feeling that more time in the cellar was what the doctor was ordering here. This just seemed to be what it was, but I won’t say that a longer decant might not have helped. I left three ounces out over night, and while the wine was clearly falling apart on the palate the next morning, the nose had become much more pure in some respects.
Old bottles being what they are, perhaps this was just this bottle—or me. To be fair, I’m seldom wowed by expensive wines. I guess I expect too much from them—the way one might expect a lot from an expensive diamond ring as opposed to a moderately priced diamond ring. At some point, though, they they’re both just diamonds and precious metal. Does the expensive ring sparkle more brightly and bring greater pleasure? Perhaps, but only in an incremental and almost intangible way that is out of all proportion to the premium paid for it. At some point, wine is exactly like this—it doesn’t really get better and better. It just gets more and more expensive. 12.5% ABV (***/16/91)
Almost as big as 1990 LLC. Eucalyptus, graphites, bit of pencil lead. Balanced and rounded. So aromatic and best to wait for 90 minutes before it opens. All in all a great wine with so much in it. Perfect time to start drinking.
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An evening of fine wine and food (Black Salt Restaurant, Washington D.C.): A close to 98-pointer, but still a bit too reserved for that high a score. LLC is notorious for opening up (cue the 1986) and this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc is no exception. But what breeding and class to the palate! I kept thinking "gorgeous finesse" which this wine has in spades. A very polished wine. Am I repeating myself with synonyms? Yes. With the most pristine balance and refinement among the three Bordeaux we enjoyed over dinner, but over time, I could not help but noting an almost fiery single malt power within the wine, not as evidently "wild" as the Cos tasted alongside, but more subtle. This wine has the depth and density and structure to gain in complexity and to get a higher score in about 5 to 10 years, so no rush. I had opened this bottle the morning of the dinner, then double decanted to remove some deposits two hours before the dinner. And, yes, ripe but not overripe fruit, with cool blueberry, tobacco leaf and cassis. Long, long finish. 12.5% alcohol.
I have had the pleasure of comparing the LLC 1990 and 1996 quite a few times next to each other with consistent notes: The 1996 continues to be a truly grand wine, with somewhat remarkable contrast next to the 1990, which is more opulent and more hedonistic. Compared to the LLC 1990 a more correct LLC rather than an enthralling one. Somewhat too strict, rather formal. Sorry to make this a plee for the 1990 but this would be a straightjacket version of the incredible 1990 next to it (again).
Drank side by side with the 95 last night. The 96 has more stuffing and complexity. This has a racy core of acidity that keeps the wine very fresh and vibrant. Superfine tannins give this very nice structure. Blackberries and red currants. In secondary development but will easily last another 10 years (unlike the 95).
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Holiday Champagne Gala (Wilmette Harbor Club): Tasted at gala dinner. Much too young, still very firm in the middle. Good density and volume, but give this more time in the cellar.
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so tight when first opened then an hour later the elegant bordeaux pedigree was there for all to taste my favorite wotn amongst many close contenders at holiday dinner in Wilmette
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Unfortunately, this bottle was not perfect. I don't know exactly what was wrong with it, but the wine was never as good as the last bottle. I suspect slightly flawed. Therefore no rating.
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Nice Bordeaux at the beginning of its peak drinking window. Pretty aromatics, fruit is rich and bright but still a bit primary and youthful. Lots of life left here, this will certainly continue to improve over the next several years.
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Aromatic on opening. Mixed berries and coffee. Early drinking window, with fruit still quite noticeable on the palate (red fruit initially but mixed berries with air), which is long and persistent. Tertiary notes of chocolate, coffee and pencil shavings offer the complexity to make this an interesting wine. Silky tannins still persistent and provide a little bite. Low (relative) ABV at 12.5% Everything holds together nicely. No rush but ready to go if you like wines in early maturity (which is my preference).
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Decanted for 1.5 hours and then drank over the next two. Excellent color. Still dark and brooding. Powerful on the nose. Smooth and seamless. First bottle of six. Will decant a little longer for the next one.
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Purchased in 2021 at retail and fill level was at base of neck. Stored in the same conditions at 55° for the past two years. Fill level still the same thankfully.
Upon opening, the cork broke in half and was soaked halfway. However, it had not affected the wine at all.
Decanted. Lots and lots of sediment.
Had small amounts every hour or so after the 6-hour mark and it seemed to be at its best after a total of 9 hours… so that’s when I got stuck in. In one of Robert Parker’s early reviews he stated it was “palate staining” and yes, that is certainly an excellent way to describe one of the characteristics of this wine.
I don’t think I could say it was the best wine I have ever had, but it is definitely up there.
I think this wine has just started drinking properly and will most likely be at its absolute best in about 5 years time.
Drink now with a good 6+ hour decant or hold for up to another 20 years.
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Drank this next to the LLC 1990. The 1996 is a grand vin for sure. Fully mature but enough stamina for many more years. Slightly more masculine than the enthralling beauty they made in 1990. And only very sligthly, more herbal than the 1990, but for sure another incredibly beautiful Saint Julien. LLC for me represents the very best this subregion can produce.
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Still young, big dense but great black fruits and of course a big structure, for which Las Cases is famous. This is old style Bordeaux at its best. Medium plus weight. Austere and quite dry finish. Long and complex. Drinking now, will last for decades.
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Celebrating 140 Years with 7 chefs (Pokai Parera, Ekatahuna, New Zealand): A great showing for one of the finest wines of the vintage. Classic, old-school Las Cases, that features blackcurrant, graphite, iron ore, and dense and dark, fully subsumed oak. The palate is mature, but has not reached its apogee of expression. Huge length, spectacular clarity, and a classy and complete finish. This is savoury, intense, and a great expression of its style.
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Woefully young, amazing for a 27 year old vintage, this is still tightly structured despite the 2 hour decant, and 2 hour bottle-breathe at Wan Chai Hong Kong's Wagyumafia.
Some sweetness on the shy nose. I did see hints of evolution in my glass, but I craved for more complexity and it was still black fruit dominant at this stage.
This is very concentrated, with over-ripeness of that luscious Cab fruit. Tannin levels are still very high, but one can definitely feel the magic is just waiting to be unleashed in this beast.
A blend of 70% Cab (Higher then normal due to the vintage), 14% Merlot and 16% Cab Franc (70% new oak), I found the finish to be very long at circa 1 minute. A wine of impressive weight, and purity, can't wait to see where this goes in the future.
There was cedar and graphite at the end of our tasting, but the tight and dusty tannins indicated there is more to come for this quintessential Bordeaux.
The 1996 vintage: 1996 Bordeaux wine is often described as a legendary vintage, and one which celebrates Cabernet Sauvignon. The Medoc was graced with hot, sunny and dry conditions, giving vines the perfect amount of stress allowing Cab Sauv (or Cab) to achieve excellent phenolic ripeness.
It started with a mild winter, then Bordeaux enjoyed warm weather starting from early March through April. May was cool, and June was hot. Flowering was quick and whilst July started off cool and moist, things quickly improved after.
At the end of Aug, a large rainstorm mainly affected the Right Bank and Margaux too. Oddly despite the proximity, very little rain fell in Pauillac, St. Julien and St. Estephe. This was perfect for the Cab.
Sept once again saved the day for the Medoc, with the first 3 weeks of Sept being both sunny and dry, with strong winds further drying the vineyards. In fact TheWineCellarInsider described these winds as helping shape the vintage!
Professional ratings: Rated RP98 and in fact Parker started off his review with "Wow, wow, wow!", this is described as one of the best wines of the vintage. This "proper Claret" is one which obviously needs a lot more time, try again in say 2030.
Thanks for dinner and the iconic wines, brother TC. Enjoyed over a super entertaining dinner at Wagyumafia with Ronno and YSL too.
Hong Kong 19 May 2023
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Browning red. Fairly subtle nose of stewed red fruits and lefty forest floor. Touch of cedar. Palate dark and red fruit, cherries, unripe blackberry and cassis, dried raspberries etc. Cedar, some tobacco leaf and forest floor notes. Touch of pepper and menthol on finish. Nice long finish.
Very different from the '90 tasted alongside, this wine was way more structured and tightly-coiled. It really blossomed in the glass though suggesting it may ultimately pass the '90 down the road. There is real grip, intensity and depth of black fruit here and an amazing complexity laying just below the surface. I can't wait to follow this wine over the coming decades. 94+
This was so disappointing. It possibly could be a top notch Bordeaux, and somewhat worthy of its accolades. However, at this moment it lacks the pedigree of the 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1990. To be fair structurally, it is lacking at this stage, and bottle age could move this into a 98/99 wine, but I'm not convinced, and at present it is good but pretty average, and I am puzzled how some critics reached their heady ratings. The balance is impeccable with the tannin sweet, and is worthy of a top notch wine, but it lacks depth. Will revisit in 3 years.
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From half bottle: Unripe blackberry, cassis, leather, strong cigar box, very classic nose; on the palate it is smooth and elegant, but also powerful and bold, though somewhat monolithic and still seems too young… “Las Cases… never fully resolved…”
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English text below: Nach einem Las Cases 1982 genossen. Was für ein gewaltiger Unterschied. Kork fast wie neu. dunkles Rubin, minimal orange an den Rändern. Kirschen, Tabak, Veilchen, Blueberry , blackcurrent, das schreibe ich sonst Nie : Umami ! wunderbar integrierte Tannine - ewig langer Abgang. mit 12.5% äusserst bekömmlich. Ein hocheleganter tanzender Marquis auf dem absoluten Zenit
after enjoying a Las Cases 1982. What a huge difference. Cork almost like new. dark ruby, minimal orange at the rims. Cherries, tobacco, violets, blueberry , blackcurrant, I usually never write it : umami ! wonderfully integrated tannins - eternal long finish. at 12.5% extremely digestible. A highly elegant dancing Marquis at its absolute zenith
I usually drink my LLCs too soon, finding them among the slowest Bordeaux to develop. So I waited 27 years to pop my first ‘96. Glad I did.
Cellared since release, perfect fill, bottom 1/4 of cork is moist. Dark red to rim. Nose is immediately giving up tons of cassis, dark fruit, cedar, moist earth, mushrooms. Medium-full body, beautifully balanced, crisp fresh fruit with mouth watering acidity and umami, tannins apparent in background, early maturity with beginning complexity. Eminently drinkable now with anticipated improvement and increasing complexity over the next 5-10 years. Excellent-outstanding.
About 1/4 was left in the fridge overnight. Showed just as well the next night with tannins a bit more present.
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Coravined a glass and left to unwind for half an hour. This had an expressive nose with rich macerated blueberry/blackberry and a beautiful violet/floral character. Smooth and balanced on the palate, with pure fruit, and hints of forest floor and morel mushrooms. Long finish with slightly dusty tannins at first, but they integrated nicely with some time in the glass. A classic, beautifully balanced wine at the start of its drinking window.
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Last tasting note that I wrote on this wine was in 2018. This particular bottle tonight was ex-chateau release so you know it was perfectly stored. Bottom line? Near perfection in a bottle, yet not tonight. Despite the 2 hour decant, it is still just a pup and needs another 5-10 years. I still enjoyed every minute of it tonight, but I was left feeling like I opened it too early.
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Medium to dark ruby. Decanted for one hour. Cork broke but the Ah-So saved the day. Throwing a bit of sediment. Rich nose of forest floor compost. Delicious mouth filling fruit. Tannins mostly resolved but this wine is well balanced and has many more years of pleasure to share.
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Decanted 2 hours. These are in a great spot right now. No tannins to speak of, very smooth, plenty of fruit, and nice complexity. Nose is a little shy, but pleasant. Enjoyed over 2 hours.
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Initially a bit funky, turning to grandmas basement and cedar, fortunately this blew off after an hour to reveal a classic old school cassis structure. Solid but unspectacular. Held together on day 2 so don’t be afraid of a long decant.
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Bordeaux tasting - with a few pirates: This was drinking rather beautifully, perhaps much in part to its handler’s decanting protocols prior to arrival. Bravo for that! Medium bodied flavors of red raspberries, cedar, earth, old cinnamon stick, plum skin, and iron parallel notes of unsmoked cigar, leather, and torched orange peel. Balls up a bit on the finish, with a firmness that keeps it in classical mode, not allowing the fruit (what remains of it) to fully give way. I sensed a slight bit of funk here, but nothing that didn’t blow off with some swirling in the glass.
The 2015 Cases was served beside it, which I personally favored, though the 2015 was pretty strait-laced for most of the evening.
Flavors reflect on the nose with the addition of spiced fruits, oak and lifted minerals.
I might prefer this one compared to the younger sibling we had but that's due to the younger sibling leaving me a bit frustrated. Maybe I'm starting to like older wines, whad'ya know?
Wine: the Gathering Old World, Bordeaux (Château de Chris et Melissa): I was really excited to try this wine since I have a 16’ LLC in the cellar. At the time I tasted, I thought that this needed more time but by the end of the evening, this was showing well. A little funk on the nose and still fruit driven despite 26 years from vintage. Had alongside the 15 and preferred that over the 96. Reminded me of the 97' BV PR to be honest...
Bordeaux and Beyond (The csimm_M Estate): Brought by the ever generous A_M as one of his 3 outstanding wines (the wagyu beef and caviar didn’t suck, either). On the nose and palate, moderate to light notes of black currants, cherries, cassis and mixed red fruit, dark florals, mixed spice and earthy minerality. Medium to deep ruby, medium bodied, thick legs. Medium+ acidity, medium tannins, well-integrated and fairly silky. VG complexity and persistence, good intensity. I know A_M said that this took some time to come to heel, but by the time he arrived at csimm’s, this was drinking with elegance and sophistication, with notable balance among its elegance. The ever so gentle Yin (12.5%) to the cacophonous Yang of the ringer ‘19 Maybach Materium also in A_M’s bag of tricks, this wine nails its spec and could be the illustration of what I think of a classic LB BDX. I’m not sure I had it with any of our culinary fair, but it has enough acidity on the one hand and gentleness on the other to work with most food, yet its balance makes it outstanding on its own. Held solidly during the several hours it was open making it likely it has many years of quality drinking ahead. Not what I’m in the mood for all the time, but really good stuff for when I would be. 95-96
Mostly Bordeaux dinner (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner, VA): Expressive nose displaying concentrated cool black fruit, crème de cassis, crushed blackberry, cedar, lead pencil, a hint of luxurious oak and mineral. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of intense cassis fruit, silky, beautiful detail and balance, bright acidity, strong mineral, very fine tannins and a long intense cassis fruit driven finish with lead pencil at the end. This nicely expresses the classic 96 vintage and the clean cassis driven Chateau style. It remains very youthful which to be expected.
Pre-AWE Festival dinner (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand): Fascinating showing for this brilliant wine. It opened with a distinctly funky edge, not corky, but showing an earthy, iron ore quality that was initially off putting. All stern blackcurrants and structure, this wine feels like a throwback to traditional Bordeaux. 12.5% alcohol makes for a balanced mouthfeel that concentrates attention on the many dimensions of the wine without the overlay of excessive alcohol. Not the finest bottle of this, as the mid palate felt a little muted. A flawless bottle would certainly score higher. Ageing wonderfully, and at 26, this has at least another decade of positive evolution left…
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This is ripping with notes of dark black fruit, smoke, tobacco, cigar wrapper, menthol. Bright, large and dynamic with silky tannins and great verve. Long long finish, and continued to improve with time. Delicious and young!
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Needs 2 hours to open up but what a wine. Classic left bank Bordeaux. Opened with blackberry and graphite, then lots of cedar, menthol, eucalyptus especially after a couple of hours. A pure pleasure to drink
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It needed 4 hours in a decanter and another hour in the glass to really open up. Full-bodied and quite structured with a gorgeous layer of graphite silkiness. Crisp and intense and still very youthful with a classic "graphite etched on stone" feel to it that is so fine. Finishes intense and complex with notes of minerals and more graphite. Yum with enough air and Lobel's lamb but otherwise should develop more complexity over the decade. Out of a particularly great magnum on Lake Tuscarora, NY. 95+
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From a mag. More of the powerful, structured, style. I know some people love this in their Bordeaux and this is always one of the ones that comes out in the super seconds but for me this is a good wine that's not 100% my style. A bit too almost harsh in notes. We had opened and decanted early and it is definitely well made. To be fair, I don't really get Latour/Lafite and this feels to me more of that style.
Classic LLC. Drank over a 9 hour period and it just got better and more intence. Power precision elegance and concentration. This has it all. This is likely 5-10 years from reaching its peak and when it does, it will be incredible. If you consume now, decant at least 3-6 hours. This should age beautifully and provide enjoyment for many years to come. The wine is fresh the tannins soft, cassis graphite eucalyptus nail polish dominate the nose. I would say drink now if you have a case or wait a few years if you have few bottles. The tertiary flavors are still developing. Stunning wine.
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Black cherry, pipe tobacco, cedar. Plenty of taught acidity , still some tannins. Nice long finish. Getting there but not quite at peak. Could use another decade. Decanted 1.5 hours.
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Stunning now, but years left. Cassis, dark plums, cedar and eucalyptus aromas. Lots of acid, polished tannins, lush mouthfeel with long dusty earth and leathery finish. No decant (restaurant didn't have clean one), but lingered in glasses for hours improving with each sip. I agree that it has years left, but it's incredible now. Would decant for several hours for optimum drinking experience.
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Huge nose of mine de crayon, black cold fruit, cepes de Bordeaux… Loads of silky tannin, nice complex sapiness, great lenght of 45 sec, still 10-20 years of potential ahead, great great claret!!
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Decanted 5 hours & paired with a wagyu rib. Starts off at pour with varnish, leather, cedar, walnut. Like an old couch. Then comes the fruit: plums and some orange peel, maraschino, olives. Something new each hour. Needs more time. Perfect tannins. Finish for minutes.
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Decanted 3+ hours. It needed a lot of air and improved even more during the dinner. A very good Las cases. Still pretty young but it's worth to pop a bottle now. No hurry this has a long life ahead. 95 pts. at the moment.
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Served among a stellar selection of estates, Lynch Bages, Pontet Canet, Montrose, other Leovilles and excellent vintages. This was the unanimous favourite but all agreed it was far from ready, maybe another 10 years. Do not drink other bottles for a while.
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Consistent with previous notes. A little muted at first, but opening up beautifully with some time in the glass. Elegant, powerful, structured very intense. Super long. Drink or keep. 95-97
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Enjoyable for sure, very old school classic, good fruit structure, tannins softening but still quite tight, prob still 7-10 years off peak incredibly, did well after a two hour decant. Next time I’ll try 5 hrs. No rush!
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Opened early evening on NYE. Wonderful nose of what I find to be typical Pauillac notes - pencil shavings, tobacco and something floral that we couldn't identify. On the palate, this was initially tight and restrained but after a few hours of air, it opened into an excellent old bdx. 95.
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This is not at its peak yet and does require a lot of air to open up. But when it does. Wow. This is close to a perfect wine. Nose with tobacco, pencil shavings and violets. Super elegant dark fruit with perfectly balanced acidity. Tannins still present but not intrusive. Give this five years and then it will be perfectly balanced. This really is the definition of a regal wine and a very classic Bordeaux.
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At Hawksmoor Bordeaux Dinner. Deep ruby, pale ruby rim. Lovely aromatic nose, pure, noble blackcurrant fruit, cedar, touch of menthol, smoky mineral. Medium bodied, that lovely pure, dark fruit again, cedar, spice and smoky mineral, firm but fine tannins, fresh acidity, long finish. Outstanding - drinking now for me but years to go of course.
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Christmas Claret: Deeper, denser nose. Lovely blackcurrant fruit with a Vicks menthol top note. This is classic and vital, deep long and with a lovely line. Super now, but in a decade or so… *****
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The 1996 Léoville las Cases is an intriguing wine, suggesting nascent greatness rather than realizing it today. Following it closely for 6 hours reveals two distinct phases; the first reasonably articulate on the nose, brimming with things classically St Julien - a perfectly ripe rendition of blackcurrant, cedar, pencil - alongside warm chestnuts, mineral, and a tapenade-like umami note. But at the outset, the palate is locked down tight, mute and forbiddingly tannic. The second phase, beginning after 3 hours of air, is characterized by a curious metamorphosis, becoming less complex but far more intense, unleashing oodles of ripe, beguiling fruit, ink, and subtle lavender potpourri. When the 96 LLC finally synthesizes these two alter egos, it will likely be a remarkable wine. I would be inclined to hold further bottles for 5-10 years if the goal is to catch this at full maturity.
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Two hours in decanter This was all that Jeff Leve points out - A truly complete wine experience It stands squarely in Bordeaux in terms of the cedar or camphor and earth aromas and carries the cool minerality I love about St Julien. This was enjoyed just after a delicious '96 Mission HB and there is a greater depth of fruit and structure and length.
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If you are seeking a vintage of Leoville Las Cases for current consumption, look no further. Full-bodied, concentrated, long, deep, and intense, the tannins are firm but soft, the fruit is perfectly ripe, and close to seamless finish must last at least 50 seconds or more. An hour in the decanter, or perhaps up to 2 hours kicks this stunner into high gear.
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Chocolate, oaky, fuller, red fruits, plum, fine mouthfeel, nice grippy sort of austere finish. Thought it was right bank. I missed most of my left-right bank calls. Very difficult in this line-up. DD Bordeaux 1989-2000 Lawson's Steakhouse
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nose - wet hay mouth - lush, complex berry fruit, tutti frutti, still amazingly fresh at age 25. As some pointed out it lacks intensity of other Bordeaux we have had. Perhaps, but it makes up for it in elegance. Often I find LLC, even with age, somewhat unapproachable, but today the '96 is prime in its drinking window.
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An hour of air kicks this beauty into gear. So classic and unmistakeable top left bank. Pencil shavings, Cuban cigar, sous bois, fine cedar wood, blueberrry and cranberry on the nose and the palate with good acidity and crunch following through with sappy cranberry, dark chocolate, superb voluminous mid palate filling out with generous (! Never thought I would use that word in context of 96 Bdx) sweet red fruits. It’s hanging at high 96 consistently for the last few year but seems to be just getting better based on my experience and is now a solid 96-97 for me. If it adds more dinensionality it could become epic indeed. Last of a six pack and glad I repurchased a twelve pack of this as I would hate to be without it on the cellar for the coming decade(s). Stock up folks. Real deal and most certainly first growth quality here!
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Needed a 3+ hour decant and then showed quite beautifully with a steely backbone and great depth of black fruit flavors. A rather masculine wine with excellent intensity and power and despite the big tannins, the finish gives way just enough to reveal a layered St. Julien complexity that is compelling. A wine with a fabulous future. 95+
Leoville Las Cases is my favourite Saint Julien and candidate for premier cru. Drinking this next to the Leoville Barton 2003 which surprised with a wonderful rich palette.
But, the Las Cases is its superior with an impressive, wonderfully aristocratic kingly depth and complexity that is a true aristocrat. The only downside is a very slightly drying finish. The trick with LLC is plenty of airing before tasting, and this one even better the next day (with cork in the bottle). LLC is a royal wine. The 1996 slightly more masculine than usual, but truly grand vin! Perfectly balanced with a long harmonious finish.
This is ready to start drinking but at the same time has years of development ahead for even more depth.
To compare: the 1990 is more spectacular, while the 1998 is lovely and more fully mature now.
First two bottles of a case. Good news, no bottle variation. Decanted for 2 hours. The wine is still developing. I will try to keep my hands off these for another 5 years before trying again. One day it will be a great bottle with 94-95 point potential and will certainly outlive me.
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Tight as a tick…need more time in bottle. Very strong and abrasive. I think it needs another 10 years to shed some of the aggressive nature it has…but I could be wrong.
my first time trying this, drank exquisitely. my fear was it could be brawny but the tannins were very well behaved enabling the fine level of detail and energy to show through....in that way it reminded me of the 86, though perhaps less concentrated
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Was going to hold this for another 10 years or so but noticed a slightly concerning leaky cork (which ended up being fine) ... A feminine, soft and elegant, plum-filled bordeaux that is mid-weight and yet not as complex as I had hoped for. Still, a pleasure to smell and taste. If you have any left, give them another 5-10 years I would say for more complexity (hopefully) to develop. As I sipped it, I reflected on how Bordeaux from the 90s overall seems a bit of a different beast than current-day vintages, which speaks to climate change as much as anything I imagine
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1 plus hour decant, paired with 2000 Rauzan Segla. This Leoville’s vibrancy was apparent from the opening, as notes of black currant wafted up while decanting. Medium body with deep layers of flavor. I thought the finish weakened toward the end of the night but overall this is an excellent showing.
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10 hr follow up. Wine was kept in the decanter, refrigerated. Couldn't let that last glass go to waste. Drank at about 60 degrees. Not much aroma remains at this point. However, the wine has increased in balance and is surprisingly fresh. While this is not lacking fruit, the 1996 Opus it was compared against has a slightly more forward presentation. Further age will enrich the LLC with tertiary flavors, which I anticipate may merit an additional point or two. Great bottle of wine!
Decided to organize our version of "The Judgement of Paris" on the occasion of my son's 25th birthday. Tonight's contenders were the 1996 Opus One vs 1996 Leoville Las Cases. I decanted the Opus for 1 hr and the LLC for 2hrs prior to the initial tasting. Both wines had very little sediment. It is interesting to note the clear differences between corks. While the LLC's cork was intact, the Opus was clearly in decay and not well sealed. One would therefore expect the Opus to be further evolved and more oxidized even though both exhibited ideal ullage. The wines were followed through the night, a process which is still continuing. Right off the bat the Opus seemed past peak. It displayed a mellowed reddish color, giving off some musty aromas and predominantly red fruit characteristics. In contrast, the LLC was dark purple showing no signs of aging, and had a more restrained blue fruit profile, with camphor like aromas emerging after 30 minutes. It was a race between the two all night long, with the Opus taking an early lead, followed by the LLC as it opened up, followed by the Opus as its fruit came through strongly. After 5 hrs, both wines started falling apart in the glass at room temperature and the fruit began receding. Based on tonight's experience, I would decant the Opus for 2 hrs and the LLC 3 hrs. The Opus has reached it peak and should be drunk now. It offers an appealing combination of Napa style fruit with Bordeaux like tertiary flavors. The LLC should be in its prime drinking stage in 3-5 yrs. It is a cooler, more formal and aristocratic wine. Although different, they were both evenly matched to the point where it was difficult to pick a winner. Tonight, the Opus was the sprinter, while the LLC was the marathon runner. Our version of the Judgement of Paris ended up in a draw. The Opus One will start going downhill from this point, while the LLC will continue to evolve.
At just approaching its quarter of a century, this is finally flourishing and and living up to its reviews on release. For a Las Cases it is remarkably forward, but it is only in the last 12 months has the transformation from a decent to an exceptional wine taken place. From a personal point of view I think this nudging ahead of the phenomenal 1986, and obviously with further development ahead. The nose is a little youthful and packed full of ripe blackcurrant and plum with cedar notes, but is decadently opulent, and very uncharacteristic of the estate. However, on the palate and finish it is showing a maturity. It is magnificent: seamless in its delivery, with layers of complexity and a finish that merits an almost perfect score with incredible depth and a perfect balance balance and 60+ seconds. On previous tastings I always thought RP had misjudged this, but boy was he spot on! Do decant for a good few hours at this stage. This could possibly become a 100 pointer in the future.
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the nose will never stop evolving: tea, coffee, spices, tobacco, a very precise light oak, black fruit ...
The palate is full with a silky attack. The material takes possession of the palate by completely loosening itself with great intensity. The fruit dominates in the mouth with tobacco. The tannins are delicate, the whole wrapped in a very fine balance, it is spherical and full at the same time, just the right amount of tension to give life to a dense juice. A finish as intense as it is long, very spicy where the wine gives the impression of unparalleled thickness.
Excellent
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Had a 1990s blind tasting Bordeaux theme. Key observation was that despite different individual palate, drinking experiences and how food will impair/change the wines, like previous tasting together; the WOTN and the least preferred is always the most distinctive and obvious. Leaving the rest to individual taste. Also, based on RP vintage chart, 1996 is extraordinary vintage; 96 pointer with remarks of still tannic, youthful or slow to mature. Sometime, off vintage might be a better choice for its readiness and price point.
Bottle 1: 1994 Chateau Latour Medium garnet in colour, tight nose with grippy tannin. Nose of red/black fruits, oak, toast. Medium+ acidity and high tannin. Decanted for 1 hour. Poor vintage for Bordeaux and show that even in poor vintage, the winemaker still can blend and produce good wine. Will not improve and should drink up to enjoy.
Bottle 2: 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Medium garnet in colour, savoury, mushroom, wet forest, red/black fruits, toast, oak, toast. Silky in the palate. Could guess it’s most probably early 90s. Very enjoyable. Did not decant. My thought aftermath was should drink up and will not improve.
Bottle 3: 1996 Chateau d’Estournel The taste is way better than the nose. Infact felt that the nose was rather closed. On the palate, its mellow, smooth and elegant. Blackcurrant, black fruits, with some toast notes. It lost out due to the nose. Decanted for 1 hour. Previously when tasting d’Estournel I remember always tasting smoky, toast, oaky notes. Should drink up now, in its drinking window.
Bottle 4: 1993 Chateau Angelus Deep garnet in colour. Nose is pronounced of all. Savoury, wet forest, black fruits, oak, toast. Medium+ acidity and high tannin. Though high tannin, it is resolved and smooth in the palate. Double decanting for approximately 1 hour. Another poor vintage but performing at its peak. Surprisingly, based on the notes, it can still probably improve and can be kept easily 5-10 years.
Bottle 5: 1996 Leoville Las Cases Deep garnet in colour. Nose is restrained. More red fruits than black fruits. High tannin and acidity. Very grippy tannin. Slow ox for 2 hours. Personally felt that Las Cases should be showing better than this. Should benefit if it’s decant longer. I felt that it’s in the early drinking window and will improve with more cellar time.
Bottle 6: 1996 Pichon Baron Deep garnet in colour. Nose is poorest compare to all. Full of green, mint, pepper, some slight tints of black fruits. High acidity and tannin. It did not perform well despite a good vintage and wine producer. Probably due to not decanting ahead. Will definitely improve with decanting and cellar time.
Bottle 7: 1996 Carrudes de Lafite Deep garnet in colour. Pronounced notes of red/black fruits, savoury notes. High tannin and acidity. Tannin is smooth in the palate. Did not decant. Drinking very well and will improve with 1-2 hours of decanting. In its optimum drinking window and also will benefit with cellar time.
The WOTN as per average consensus: 1) 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, followed by 2) 1993 Chateau Angelus 3) 1996 Chateau d'Estournel 4) 1996 Carruades de Lafitte 5) 1996 Leoville Las Cases 6) 1994 Chateau Latour and lastly 7) 1996 Pichon Baron
Opened on Xmas night 4-5 hours ahead of dinner. Strong aromatics of pencil shavings, graphite and lead. Evolved slowly over the evening and put the other half away until 2 days later over lunch when it became a different animal and lived up to the hype. Tannins resolved and was very smooth and long aftertaste. Went superbly with the Australian ribeye. Maybe needs some more time but hear there is a lot of bottle variation unless bought ex-chateau which this was not.
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Last tasted 5 years ago when I felt it needed a few more years. Now in its drinking window. Gave it 2 hours after decant as advised by the exceptionally detailed LLC website. It really got into its stride after 3 hours. Black fruit predominates on the palate, which is seamless with tannins fully absorbed. There is a dichotomy here. On the one hand the fruit seems if anything over-ripe, but there is also structure, complexity, power, finesse but with precision. Wow! ****(**)
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Being Burgundy focused since the beginning of my wine journey, admittedly I have not paid enough attention to Bordeaux. Drinking this 1996 Leoville Las Cases prompted me to exploring more Bordeaux. Many 96s are showing superbly today. Sweet blackcurrant, cedar, inky rich dark fruits, pencil shavings and lavish oak treatment. Classic Bordeaux in style yet luscious and inviting. Full bodied with superb density and rich nuances. Well layered silky tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon driven? La Missoon Haut Brion? 2001? (90/100)
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Bordeaux 1996 Left bank versus 1998 Right bank (more or less) (By SK In Vught Aan het Fornuis): Beautiful bouquet which shows some barnyard but is for the rest quite locked. On the palate a classical wine with dark and red berries, graphite and a lot of bell pepper. The luxurious elements are still quite hidden. This is in fact still a baby and it might need another 15 – 20 years of ageing before it shows all of its merits. Great wine! 97 – 98+
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No formal notes taken. Some bricking but still good depth of color considering the age. Elegant as you would expect from top drawer GCC. Perhaps the palate is a bit subdued and thinning out - structure a tad skeletal. I would have preferred less leather and more fruit but lovely finesse here all the same...
Stored in cold cellar since release. Cork broke! Lovely bouquet and deep colour. Classic. Tannins seem fully resolved though maybe just sweet? Depth and length. Perfect St Julian. Many years ahead.
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Another wonderful bottle of this. Confirming last year's experience. Day one decanted for an hour it showed a bit Pauillac like with pencil shavings and a very firm precise Cabernet Sauvignon structure. Extremely glassy and comparing it with Mouton 96 I enjoyed very recently not a lesser wine, it is possibly a tiny notch better. Day two the remaining half bottle that I kept was in a gorgeous spot. The wine had sweetened up, gotten rounder and more voluptuous showing more "soft" St Julian then. Worth pointing out that this wine has 12.5 pct alcohol only which is great in my view. Superb showing here and reminds me why I like Bordeaux. Not a cheap wine but for the quality, the fact it is getting firmly into its drinking window, a relative bargain for (very) fine wine...
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Drank at Cloudland Farms out of a 375. Just about perfect bottle of Bordeaux. Could find no fault just lacked some sort of magic that would take it to the highest level.
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This wine continues to drink beautifully - it''s one of my all time favorites and didn't disappoint tonight. Decanted 2 hours and paired with grilled marinated antelope chops with a mustard shallot sauce - a wonderful pairing. The wine is highly concentrated with notes of cassis, black raspberry, minerals, hint of spice with beautifully integrated tannins and long, long finish. A magnificent wine.
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Excellently kept bottle with good fill. After 25 years this is now in the drinking window. The wine is aromatically very convincing with complex Medoc nose of forest floor, dark fruit and tertiary notes. On the lean side though in its mid mouth presence, preventing a higher score. Old fashioned, impressive effort what it is but was edged out by the Montrose 2000 side by side.
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Right out of the bottle: Aromas of cedar, blackberry, and some earth. Softened tannins, dark fruit, spice, and some leathery tertiary notes on the palate. Spice ramps up in the long finish.
After a few hours to open up, the fruit is much more noticeable on the nose. More acidity and earthy/tar notes on the palate, well balanced with fruit, spice, and tannin.
Excellent concentrated flavors, medium body, long finish.
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Was expecting more. Even after 4 hour decant it is still tightly wound with tannins dominating the fruit.had with Beef Wellington and it was shown up by other wines.
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This is definitely ready to start drinking with decent time in the decanter, but I do find everything a little restrained. Admittedly it has development ahead of it, but I'm not sure if further aging will add more complexity, and it certainly doesn't live up to its initial expectations. However, it is an excellent wine, and very typical of the estate. Blackcurrant and cedar are prominent with a big tannic backbone on the palate. It is perfectly balanced and with a harmonious finish pushing 50 seconds. It is a great example of an old fashioned Bordeaux, but it is understated in its delivery.
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Drunk at the Mandarin Grill Hong Kong - Described as Dickensian by my colleague which I think was apt. Great expectations to begin given its Second Growth status and a marquee Left Bank vintage. A little austere initially but with time in the glass it reveals a complex personality. Whilst it is a relatively young wine (it has many years ahead of it) it exudes a stylistic old-fashiondness. It doesn't quite have the length of Bleak House but it definitely has a more pleasant finish.
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Great taste off with a ‘95 Ducru B and 96 Las Cases. The DB drinking better of the two, and maybe just more in its apogee. The Ducru was beautiful on the nose, raspberry and tar notes. So smooth, lots of lingering fruit. Terrific. The Las Cases’ nose “darker”, more plum and darker fruit notes. Similar palate. Also drinking well, I think I just enjoyed the Ducru slightly more. More upfront fruit. 95-94 in OT?
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A nice comparison to the '95 and '96 Moutons tonight. Darker and stronger although less nuanced, less detailed, and generally less ready to drink. Softening up just a little but (in terms of Las Cases) and technically strong. Cassis and blackberry.
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Acker 200; 2/7/2020-2/8/2020 (The Pool & Cipriani): From a 5L which does go to show the difference in aging. The last bottle of this I had I thought was in a pretty good place. This was an absolute infant. Bit of a tangy style, lots of twigs and leaves and more earthy in nature. On the whole a bit closed down. Would have needed a good decant or time in the glass and unfortunately didn't get either.
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Absolutely beautiful nose of crushed flowers, charcoal, light tobacco and earth. Very true to form and still very young. Tannic and tight, this could have used a decant for sure but it was lovely nonetheless. A big wine with lots of stuffing. I would not hesitate to let this age another decade because it still might be a bit too young.
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Opened 5 hours before drinking. Delicate beautiful flavors and long on palate. Can keep for few more years but just starting to enter long drinking window
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Decanted for an hour. Wine is open for business. Still very fresh. In a good drinking window. Beautiful purple color with light bricking on the edges. On the palate, I tasted dark fruits (blackberries, blueberries, and currant) with mushrooms and mineral undertones. Medium body with a silky texture with a lovely long finish.
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Still very high end cab, with lots going on in terms of balance and complexity. This was good to drink over a couple nights. Still some upside. Wish I knew what I paid for this on release.
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Medium garnet with tinge of rust. Nose was was cassis, dark fruit, cigar box, some minerality. Very smooth, very much the feel of an aged Bordeaux. Well into its drinking window. Finish was a bit acidic at first but given a chance to breathe that disappeared entirely. Finish was long.
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Perhaps conservative. Red fruit but a little withholding on the nose. Very rich intense vibrant palate, great balance, still a lot of tannin. Great, next bottle in 5+ years.
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Dinner with the wine group (Zazie, SF): Double decanted 8 hours prior to dinner. Deep ruby, still youthful color; aromatic, blackcurrant, slight tea leaves, slight tobacco, some capsicum; palate is full bodied, tannins still present but approachable, medium-plus fresh acidity throughout, good remaining black fruits for its age, a touch of bell pepper, not a ton of secondary or tertiary complexity yet; finish is medium-plus length and quite clean/precise with a bit of minerality. Right now this seems like a youthful but approachable classically made bordeaux, still with good fruit but not a ton of mature complexity. Nose>palate right now. I'm hoping this will fill out a bit with some air, but it's still a nice bordeaux now. 92-93 Really needs at least 7-10 years more age to develop more. Day 2: Shows a bit more fine complexity on the nose, a bit more polish and smoothness on the palate as the tannins have integrated more, and overall doesn't really show any significant oxidation that I might expect with so much air. This definitely has a lot of time left before my next bottle.
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Some nice dark fruit on the nose, hints of shaved pencil; then beautiful deep fruit, there is richness but it's controlled, even elegant for it's depth and intensity, tannins are there but in the background, the wine is driven more by its acidity. Delicious now, but still very young with many years ahead of it.
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1996, Château Léoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, Frankreich. Mittleres Rubin, Reifetöne. Was für eine Nase, zum Eintauchen, zum Meditieren, so kann Bordeaux riechen, Kirschen, Kräuter, Tee, Kaffee, Zedernholz, Süssholz, wow. Im Gaumen weich und zugänglich, auf dem Peak, feinste Tannine, sehr gute Struktur, kraftvoll, mit Druck und dennoch hochelegant, das ist Bordeaux auf sehr hohem Niveau. Im Abgang wunderbar lang und enorm ausgewogen. Das habe ich geschluckt statt gespuckt. Jetzt bis 2030. 19.5 vvPunkte (97/100). vvWine.ch
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Popped an poured. It has an opaque ruby color fainting uniformly towards the rim with a reflective edge. The nose is very dense and youthful even at 23 years of age showing sharp, sweet, fragrant currants, plum sauce, tar and incense. On the intake, the palate displays a full body that was once densely-packed, but has begun the process of graceful aging as it unravels smoky flavors of black cherry, black olives, meat, iodine, tobacco, espresso, scorched Saint-Julien earth, gravel and pencil shavings. This is a beautifully integrated wine that weaves through the palate with such vibrant acidity that it makes for a well-balanced, refreshing experience. Finishes long with a lingering mentholated sensation of dried herbs and charcoal. Outstanding! This has a long life ahead. Drink now until 2041. 97+
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Mahogany. Aged bouquet with manure and iodine. Young characteristics in the background especially blackcurrant. Beautifully balanced. Firm tannin. Quiet personality.
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Subtle and pure on the nose. Concentrated cherry, cassis, black fruit, a bit of baking spice and a fresh earthy quality. Silky on the palate. Tannins are well integrated, showing light grip at this point. Acidity is moderate and the fruit is powerful. This is delicious right now. Likely has a long life ahead and will just get silkier as time goes on.
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Popped and poured. Dark ruby, Nose of cedar and black fruits. Was not decanted and took about 30 minutes to open. Drinking well but the tannins are present and the wine will still benefit from a few years of aging.
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Decanted for about 5 hours, and this bottle was still drinking super young. Dark black fruit, well balanced, tannins are fine but somewhat prominent. Needs years. Next bottle 2024+
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Beautiful dark ripe black fruit and graphite on nose. Beautiful. Acidity still near perfect. Tannins soft and very perfectly integrated. The balance for me is amazing.
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6th of 24, decanted 80 minutes, perfect cork and level, as bottle noted in April, although already attractive and showing class, a very long way from maturity. At least VF (18.5).
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Decanted. Wine was closed for the initial 30 mins and started to gradually come alive. Was singing about an hour in. Great balance with long silky finish. Starting to show some secondary development.
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Decanted for 2 hours (but a small sip taken at popping the cork was immediately enjoyable to my surprise). The wine was fairly mellow after the decant for my expectation of LLC and 1996. I find some 1996s Medoc almost too structured but not here. The wine was "relaxed", fully open for business - 12.5% alcohol only which I love - no heat, no shouting, just sheer class in a glass. Based on this I am going to be drinking my bottles over the next 5 years (and before my 1990s weirdly). But maybe this was just a bit more developed bottle then is usual. It sure was a clean and lovely bottle. I do like LLC for its consistency and it does punch at First Growth levels in my opinion.
5th of 24, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, little changed from last September's bottle, taking a long time to hit maturity, even for LLC, the 98 the better drink on the night, though the 96 is clearly the superior wine! VF (18.5) with scope for more.
Nice deep red. Nose of dark fruits, graphite, cedar and mint. Clean body with firm tannins and long finish. Needs a couple of hours to air. Maybe a bit young still!
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Medium ruby, medium width rim, powerful, developing, red currant, cherry compote, mushroom, bark, cellar dirt, penicillin, dried cedar, saline, very pretty, dried floral, meaty, earthy. Medium plus acid, medium body, medium alcohol, medium plus tannin, high level of complexity, long long finish, balanced, lean, yet structured. Drinking incredibly well now and should improve more over the next 10+ years.
On the nose there is lead pencil, damp forest floor, and heaps of purple cassis and glycerin. Slight development around the edges, but for the most part brooding and intense. Some finessed details hanging about the nose, but I always find this house to be the biggest blockbuster on the Left Bank.
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This is open for business if decanted for a lengthy time, (8 hours this time out, ) and starting to display secondary characteristics. The nose is a little restrained, but deep with dark berry fruits and cedar. With some time in the glass, the palate is developed and multi layered with great depth. The finish is 30 seconds plus and well balanced. I am very against drinking wine too early, but I have no problem with starting to enjoy this on an annual basis.
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Still dark ruby red. Nose is somewhat muted at first, but dried red fruits and dried white flowers come out with air. Medium full body, somewhat rich flavor which I don't notice with LLC before, perhaps the higher cab franc? Tannins at first don't show but comes out in force after time in glass. Medium finish that improves also with time. Bottom line this just seems still way too early to approach...
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Acker BYO 2018 (Tribeca Grille): This was just in a great spot. Very much open for business. Lots of black fruits and hints of pepper and just a touch of more green notes (but in a good way). It was really nice.
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Decanted for 2-3 hours. Interesting nose of dark fruit, green pepper, rich dark palate that opened to lots of cassis and long peppery finish. Highly enjoyable but next bottle can wait a few years. At least.
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Still an infant, but with so much promise! Purple ruby core with no signs of age; still rather primary on the bouquet, with notes of cassis, black currants, and spice box. Medium bodied, with good structure, ripe but firm tannin, and a classic finish. I think this needs another 10 year to really show its stuff!
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4th of 24, decanted 5 hours, perfect cork and level, all the attributes for one of the finest vintages of LLC and technically it may merit a higher score, but it is hard work and needs a great deal of coaxing, much more backward than previous nights Ducru and VCC 96 and these wines weren't really ready! At least VF (18.5)…….I suspect we're 20 years away from the prime drinking window and with scope to develop further for years thereafter!
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Still “young”. Has everything going for it. Lots of potential just waiting to unfold - probably several years from now. Currently, very enjoyable with all the right stuff and weight and with the feeling that there is more to come
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Decanted for 7 hours after reading other notes, and it still needed time in the glass to start showing its true class. I must admit to being underwhelmed at my previous 2 tastings, but it has started to come alive. Packed full of dark berry and cedar, the nose is restrained, but on the palate the wine is wonderful and the finish is out of this world nudging 60 seconds. The tannin is evolved, but still is a little distracting,. Another few years could see this wine competing with the 1982 and 1986. 96+
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Great wine. Tannins have begun to resolve. Loads of dark red fruit. Needs a few hours to decant. This wine will really be something in about five years
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Deep ruby, nose of cedar and forest floor. Excellent now with a one hour decant but it may still be evolving. Was clearly better than a 1995 Chateau Latour served at the same time.
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Lovely nose, a field of wild lavender after a heavy rain, some anise and violets too. Exotic asian and ginger spices, perfectly bitter finish, a really sexy wine, ready to drink, but with an easy ten years of life.
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While still a pup, this wine was drinking beautifully with more red fruit than black and sweet tannin with a long feminine finish. This is a very complete wine that has balance and finesse. Decanted for 1-2 hours. Early maturity window, but will benefit for another 5-8 years in bottle to take on more tertiary notes.
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Slow-ox’ed for several hours and then decanted off the sediment for an hour. This is in its sweet spot. Huge nose of black fruits, cedar, exotic spices. Perfect fruit/acid/tannin balance. Drink now with a good decant.
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Subdued flavors, past the fruit dominated phase of just a few years ago. Leather, dark fruits, cherry, balanced and a bit underwhelming. Quite good though if you have an English palate and enjoy elderly clarets. Given a two hour decant. Two bottles sampled over four hours
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If you have 4 hours of decanting time available, this is a stunning bottle of LLC. It's rich, concentrated, mouth filling, long, intense and packed with character. The wine is powerful, yet not over overwhelming. The fruit is ripe, and tannins and polished, but firm. This finish must last close to 50 seconds. With another decade, this could easily hit 100 Pts.
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This was a vertical tasting over dinner. I love Las Cases and fell its a tremendous value that in the best years approaches Grand Crus but is generally excellent and enjoyable. all of these wines fit the bill from the the sublime 82 and 90 downward. My ranking was as follows 82 90 86 89 83 96 85 95
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Hitting the right spot during this period. Very similar to the 2002 I just had. Such a big fan of these wines and will continue to buy more. Dust, earth, pencil, long finish. Just a winner of a wine.
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Drunk alongside a Latour 95 and 96 and the las cases won. More depth than the 95 and more approachable than the 96 Latour. Flipping lovely. No rush to drink this as it has years to go. I only have one bottle left and will treasure it for as long as I can. In my experience wine doesn't get much better than this - lovely
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases Vertical with James Handford MW (Handford Wines, London): WOTN albeit between us we were split between this and the 1990. Very classic, textbook great Bordeaux, beautiful soft dark fruits, cedar, tobacco ligh peppery. Still on the way up ,albeit well within its drinking window, and has easily another 20years of top drinking. Youngish, energetic, harmonious wine full of elegance. Superb wine. 95-96+
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Domaine Delon Masterclass (Vaucluse Cellars, New South Head Road): What a lovely nose. Toast, biscuit, earthy but with cassis over blackcurrant, spice and pretty red berries. There is almost a slightly jammy element. Some tertiary stuff as well - leather, touches of sous bois, mint. Lovely, juicy, thick, dense tannins but it's still fleshy with black and red fruit, long superb.
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This wine is delicious, beautifully mannered, charming and well-made, but all in a limited way. It lacks the bite, the animale quality, which Las Cases usually has. Whilst not short, neither does it have the savour and length which it should have. It is much too benign. As before, I am convinced that the reverse osmosis machine has done its work far too well. It is a lovely, easy-going wine which has missed its way in this very fine vintage -- it should have been up there with Ch Latour and Ch Margaux, but it isn't.
Fantastic well integrated Bourdeaux. Tannins and acidity relaxed and really let the tobacco and earthy flavors shine. A bit thin on the finish but mostly due to the age. If you have it, it's probably just a bit past prime.
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600cl btl. Classic Las-Cases in the beginning of its drinking window. Tasted along side Latour 1995 and to start with they were a par but eventually Latour was a bit more complex. However, a very strong showing. Drink now-2030
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600cl btl. Better from this format, not surprisingly. Tasted vis-avis Latour 1995, this just falls short, but still, this is the real stuff, a masculin wine with coffee, leather black fruit and spice. Will keep, just entering the drinking window. #Philipson30
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Not far from the vintage, neither in style nor quality, this is fully mature, shows chocolate, coffee galore, a soft attack, easy drinking. #Format#Brandis
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Melisse dinner. Wine 3 of 3. This was the WOTN for most. Dark purple with really no signs of amber at the edges. Could have easily been mistaken for a 5 year old wine based on color -- but not on its nose. Great complex nose, red and dark fruit, cedar chest, tobacco, and a bit of earth. Palate was full bodied, with noticeable but well balanced tannin. Good fruit, tending toward the dark spectrum with more of the earthy notes and tobacco. This probably has decades left.
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First Growth in quality is the first and most accurate descriptor that comes to mind. Power, precision, finesse, purity of fruit, coupled with a regal quality to the tannins, textures and fruit are what you'll find. Concentrated, but not the least bit heavy, this is a stunner. Perhaps the wine was decanted about 20 minutes before serving. This is just sublime! If you want to experience Leoville Las Cases at its best, this is the vintage to open today.
Last bottle had a 5 hour decant. This bottle was served after 1 hour decant. Nice presents, a bit raw, great intensity. My takeaway is that a 5 hour decant gives you a better experience.
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Just entering its drinking window, the wine has perfect balance. Aromas of blackberry and cedar pervade with a tannic bite on the palate and a long unwavering finish. This was decanted for a few hours which was needed, and continued to develop in the glass. This will continue to dramatically improve but enjoyable at present and easily out drinking the 1995.
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God, this is off the hook! Popped and poured, which you would think is a crime against wine, I was shocked at how fabulous this was to taste. Intensity and concentration, with a depth of flavor miles long, the level of tannin is high, but the tannins are refined, ripe, and long. The wine is fresh, balanced and really coats your taste buds. You can pop a cork today and enjoy the ride, 2 hours of air is suggested. or, wait another decade. Either way, you'll enjoy this stunner. A great vintage of Leoville Las Cases that will mature in my lifetime, who would have thunk it? If y want to know what Leoville Las Cases is all about, this could be the vintage to buy.
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Leoville Las Cases with Pierre Graffeuille (Ripple): Pierre described this as one of the all-time great Las Cases that has only recently closed up. He said it was wide open for 15 years and then 5 years ago it started to need decanting. This got the requisite decant but I still found it very closed-up and unexpressive, with a fierce, drying structure. You could taste the red orchard fruit through it but not much else to see and certainly not the dazzling complexities of the older vintages. Unfortunately there was not enough to come back to this later in the night because one of our bottles was corked. But if I had this I would not be tempted to open it for a long time.
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Léoville Las Cases dinner with Pierre Graffeuille (Ripple Restaurant in DC): Very precise classic claret nose displaying intense cassis, blackberry jam, floral dust, cedar, a hint of vanilla and earth. Excellent concentration, beautifully layered, intense cassis driven palate impression, incredibly silky and polished, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral, still noticeable fine tannins and a long energetic finish with cassis and cedar at the end. This is an incredibly youthful classic claret with a long life ahead. The 96s are showing really well with the incredible energy and purity. Some thinks that it is tight. I am loving it, my WOTF by a slim margin, to the hedonistic and explosive 90.
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Fully mature yet still lively, nose of the most delicate oriental sandalwood in glass, flavours of peach, cherry, jam, forest brush, but in a lightness more akin to a burg. Saved half for a try the night after. Lovely.
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A real pity that this wine did not have enough aeration. Nose is reticent with mostly black fruit. Palate is well balanced with very good structure and depth. I would not touch this in the next 10 years. If you have to drink it now, a 4-5 hrs decant is necessary.
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Super Bowl 2017 (Alpharetta, GA): Darker core with garnet rim; fennel, red fruit, bright currant, holly bush, tanned leather, chocolate, dried red fruit, young, fat and rich, weed brownies, damp wet earth, solid and very drinkable; went '00 Pichon Baron.
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Bordeaux: Second wines in great vintages. (Valuas): Beautiful and classical bouquet with red an dark berry fruits, earth, autumn and rustic flavors. On the palate elegant dark and red berries, earth, autumns and mushrooms and firm acidity. The tannin still has a good bite, but overall the wine is quite mature.
Sparkling at 70 (Ekatahuna, New Zealand): Second time drunk this year - this time from a colder cellar than the previous bottle. Still very young and primary. This bottle was very much informed by its oak regime. Classic cigar box, vanilla and perfect blackcurrants. It was approachable, but this bottle had not begun to develop more tertiary qualities. Absolutely outstanding, but in need of time, before its full potential is to be realised. 92+ for this bottle - but its last outing suggests where the wine will go
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1996 Bordeaux Blind: Not overly expressive on the nose, some clay and very quiet cranberry. Improved with air time. Big expansive palate. A little tart upfront. Rich and round through the middle. Pleasant minerality through finish. Good balance.
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Virtually impenetrable, even after 6 hours in a decanter, yet the breed, depth and balance of the wine foretells a classic Bordeaux that is years away from peak drinking. Even more backward than the '96 Latour tasted alongside. 93+
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Decanted three hours. Almost no residue in bottle. Lovely colour, fully ready, good nose of cedar and sandalwood. Delicious with a rib-eye steak at Harome (the Pheasant), but once again lacking the extra pzazz which LasCases should have. Very good indeed, tannins resolved, some sweetness, but no hint of that austerity, that authority, which should distinguish LLC (and Latour) from the rest. Latterly (after 2 more hours), it did fill out, showing more complexity and grades of flavour, but still did not evince the arresting tannic bite and complexity which I expect from LasCases.
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Garnet-violet color of deep depth. Medium bodied. Some light/grippy/drying tannins; very "pretty" flavor profile, with red fruits and florals dominating.
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No formal note as this was at an offline in SoCal. Lots of great notes here already, just wanted to throw my $0.02 in and say that this wine is truly a siren call - it's haunting, it draws you in, closer and closer. It seems like this is just inside its preferred window, where it will likely sit for a decade without issue; probably some upside here, as well. Medium-bodied, with such lovely, restrained intensity and purposeful sense of place. Understated elegance. highly recommended
Served non-blind, in a vertical of five different LLCs - this one haunted me the most, so yes, this was my fav.
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My tasting note and score from 2011 were really enthusiastic. It seems like the wine has closed down again. In the bouquet dark fruits and luxurious oak, but less outspoken and exclusive than the Léoville Barton tasted beside it. On the palate red and dark berries, good acidity and tannin with still some bite and a bit drying. The wine doesn’t show at its best now. My guess is that well into the 2020’s (2024+) everything will have fallen into place and this wine show great finesse. For tonight 92. For future expectations 94+, so I will put 93 in CT for this classical wine.
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I was expecting a tannic beast but this was decanted for 30 minutes and was very approachable. Cedar nose, medium ruby, everything in balance and a nice long finish. Drink now or over the next 10 years.
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Stood upright from the cellar for 3 hrs; decanted 1 hr. Perfect condition, possibly still a little cold in the first glass. Classic Lascases nose, moderately austere, woodsmoke, a touch of camphor. A big surprise on the palate, however -- initially reserved but never closed, not at all harsh or austere, excellent black fruits, never tannic, no harsh 1996 acidity, very good but not intense. After an hour, it became distinctly bland, still very good indeed, but lacking complexity and length. In the third act, it took the stage at last in full regalia, really delicious and long now, but still not quite showing that intensity or hint of greatness I had been expecting. Very more-ish; the decanter emptied with unexpected speed. All in all, a big surprise, because this is not really Lascases as we knew it in the '80s. I wonder if reverse osmosis is the reason for the change?
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Fine-Wine Winter Dinner (Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand): Exquisite vintage for Leoville Las Cases and surprisingly, drinking very well at the moment. Tremendous bouquet of pencil shaving and cigar box which focuses on the purity of the cassis fruit and does not rely on an overt overlay of new oak to carry the argument. Im the mouth, still involved, but forward - the structure is firm but the velvet texture allows one to enjoy the wine now. This is a sure bet for the cellar. Edged out the Harlan Estate 1996 tasted at the same time and was the better match with a "Le Chateaubriand" recipe of Beef with Charred Eggplant. 96+++
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Tasted blind. Still quite dark in colour, just a hint of discolouration. Opulent and rich on the nose - dark and ripe fruit, earth, spices, tobacco, pencil shavings... Just wonderful. On the palate complex and layered with lots of fruit, still very present tannins, great acidity. Silky and very long. Beautiful structure. Drinking well, but no rush at all. My WOTN. 95-97
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This was the darkest wine in our LLC vertical (1970-2009) and showing the balanced acidic streak I now associate with 96 left bank wines that encourages me to keep drinking glasses. That acidity doesn't fully mask the tannin level here though - this is a stubborn LLC but nothing compared with the 1982! With air this is now showing more mocha than the plums I recall from a few years ago. If anything this has withdrawn in the last few years and no signs of cedar yet... This is still evolving and shouldn't be touched for a decade. I would be surprised if the peak drinking window starts much before 2030. A conservative 95+pt crystal ball 'guess'.
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During a Left Bank 1996 tasting dinner. Dark ruby. Discrete nos of dark fruit and earth. Unfortunately rather closed on the palate and a bit unyielding. Still tight but good length. Will this turn around at age 30, who cases. I think the team has extracted too much tannins here in relation of the ripness of the fruit they harvested. Given the price, I would honestly stay away from this vintage of LLC.
Tasting: Light and elegant, almost burgundian, but far from being a showstopper. My third vintage of this wine (1996, 2006 and 2008) and certainly mixed emotions.
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3rd of 24, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level - similar to last Feb's note, but even less expressive. Still purple rimmed and retreated back into shell. Can only assume some notes on here were on badly cellared or flawed bottles as the current note reflects entirely normal development for top claret in a top vintage and particularly for LLC which is notoriously long lived and will often go in to deep sleep after showing well if primary from years 12 to 15. I'm confident that this will throw off the sulks some time over the next 5 years and then improve for 20+ years. Currently F (17.5).
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I thought this was generally a very good wine but disagree with some of the comments that suggest this is still so young. It's not, it's ready to drink now. Out of the bottle, a nice brickish colour leads to a very pleasant nose of rose petals and soft oaky/cedary notes - telltale signs of a medium bodied wine. On the palate, the tannins are very rounded and soft and the finish is great too. Despite the tannins, the wine is still well integrated with just a touch of acidity, but it is very apparently showing its age. We did not decant the wine which turned out to be a good decision, it didn't necessarily evolve in the glass. A very nice left-bank bottle for sure, but not likely drinking beyond 10yrs.
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What a magnificent wine! Drinking beautifully now, even on PNP, and yet prob has another 20 years . One of the better drinking 1996 we have had. Classic Leoville, tannins perfectly integrated, this is an outstanding wine now and for the ages.
Excellent wine, would have guessed it was much younger if drank blind. Rich nose of ripe blackberry. Excellent texture on the palate, ultra smooth, and perfect mid palate to the finish. One of the best LC I have had.
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A stunning wine. Brambles, black cherries, cedar, mint. Concentrated but fine definition. Smooth tannins, a "together" wine. Very slightly tight and austere. We were fortunate to taste the 96 along with the 86 (see note for that). I had a preference for the 86, Mrs B the 96. I think the 96 needed a few more years. (*****)
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Dark red in color, still very young, nose of spicy dark red fruit, cedar, minty and rather primary. Palate with good power and just as primary as the nose. Lovely to drink now but pretty surprised at how well stored this bottle is, loads of potential.
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Decanted for 3.15hrs. This one needs it. Lovely nose of Cederbox, glycerin, crushed raspberry. The taste is silky smooth with some tannins are not fully shed. It's has blackberry with Cacao. Also some evident of fresh flowers. The tatste goes on for a full minute. There is no doubt this wine is approachable today with many hours of decanting. Although it will age effortlessly for another 15yrs. Love this Wine!
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Modest but attractive nose of dark fruit, clean earth, and perfume de Bordeaux. Medium body featuring elegant tannins and persistent acidity, with hint of fleeting menthol mid palate. Excellent.
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Simply beautiful, charming old claret. 750ml poured into decanter and served - slowly savored over a couple hours with a close friend. The time, the place, the occasion, and the cellar temp serving made this wine a very memorable one. Classic nose of black fruit and cedar, beautifully knit palate of bright red fruit, perfect tannin/Left bank structure, and a long finish. This has another 10-15 years to run wild. Bravo!
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This is just beautiful. Rather reserved mineral-based bouquet. On entry, luscious and silky texture on a black current profile w a hint of five spice. Builds incrementally in the mouth. Obtrusive tannins all resolved, now fine and elegant, can gurgle all day. Finishes long. Still vibrant and has years ahead. Not for fruit-bomb lovers.
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Really starting to open up and show what it has. This was undrinkable for about 15 years and now is very beautiful. Chocolate, cedar, licorice, black fruit, maybe a hint of cinnamon. Will drink well for a long time.
This was opened at a Las Cases vertical along with the 75, 83, 86, 89, 90, 94, 00 and 03. Didn't take notes on every one but the winners were the 75 (astonishingly vibrant and put together), the 86 (classic Las Cases, and this 96. The 00 was completely closed down and the 03 surprisingly open. The value proposition was the 94 which was drinking very nicely and is quite affordable if you can find it.
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2nd of 24, perfect fill, previous note very fine, this bottle tighter and less expressive though components as in my note of May 2013 and clearly behind very fine Latour 96 and LLC 89 on same night, needs more time to settle down. Fine plus (18/20).
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Didn't express much on the nose on opening. Dark ruby with some lightening of the edges. Decanted for 3 hours and drank over 2 hours. After decant, nose yielded more but was still holding back. Plum, red currant, lots of pencil shavings, damp earth, and hints of chocolate. On the palate is where this wine currently shines, showing itself to be extremely smooth with no hard edges. Tannins are silky and round. Very pleasing 45 sec finish. In conclusion, this wine is probably the youngest drinking '96 Bordeaux of recent memory. Its smoothness makes it worth the experience, but I can't help but think that this will be much better in 5-10 years. I'm going to try to hold off on my remaining bottles for awhile.
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Initially decanted for 3 hours. Tasted up against 96 Clos du M it first appeared rather dull, but it opened up somewhat over the next 3-4 hours and by the end of the night it had surely taken centre stage. However, no doubt in my mind it is too early now asthe aromas that will surely make this wine amazing are just not present. But one day ...
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Raid Len's Cellar #6: Blackcurrant, violet, iron and cherry on the nose. The palate is excellent, with great tannin structure overlaid by full and bold fruit. Hasn't budged much since the last bottle 4 years ago - I enjoyed drinking this but it will no doubt improve further over the next 10 years.
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A bottle from the cellar to monitor progress. This is a great wine in development, but it is not quite as friendly tonight as it has seemed over the last few years. The tannins are fine, but they have become more assertive again. Nose & palate vacillate between sharp and sweet, and there is an underlying impression of material in transition from primary to secondary flavours. It is very long, and there are real hints of first growth majesty in a first class vintage. But it is not there yet, and needs at least another 3-4 years. We will let it slumber for a good while yet.
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A serious brooding wine with unmistakable flavors of a medium-aged left-bank Bordeaux. Cedar, earth, minerals and cassis flavors with a hint of tobacco leaf. Drinking beautiful, but this still has quite a bit of upside potential. Linear, lean and precise. Lovely wine.
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HDH Auction; 12/13/2014-12/14/2014 (TRU): Really hard to assess, because I had it right out of the bottle with no decant; There's a lot of nice red fruits on the dense palate, but it's not yet integrated and hasn't developed any interesting secondary or tertiary aromas to complement the fruit; Needs more time, or at least a lot of air
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Brought a magnum to a dinner party. Decanted for 4 hours. Simply outstanding. Smooth, robust, and well balanced. Clearly the favorite wine of the evening. Try it if you get the chance.
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Severe, tannic, stoic, masculine, deep, concentated, backward and young, this bottle was tight, even after 3 hours of decanting. Other bottles have given up more of their charms. Clearly, this is a great wine. It has the structure, fruit, balance and depth needed to age and develop. However, it also needs time, perhaps 10-15 more years.
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Bordeaux Tasting (Home): I had high expectations for this wine and it failed me. No fruit, no oak. Smelled like a freshly opened plastic toy. At least the tannins were well balanced after 18 years.
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Really well done wine, heavily concentrated dark fruit, bracketed by all that growing secondary flavors of leather/spice, the acid is in place. Definitely one of the most balanced wines of the night. One of the WOTNs for me.
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Some seepage, not scored, but plainly showing its quality. Oak, acidity, fruit, still very young with a slightly green undertone. A couple hours in the decanter were helpful.
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Like many, I have worried that this may never open up. Wrong I was. This time, served out of a half bottle, it exploded out of the glass. It was so good that one friend started shouting! With the tannins resolved (at least in the small format), it showed brilliant red fruit, pencil shavings, sweet licorice and a spicy backbone. Bottom line, if you have any small bottles, they can be opened now, but hold off on the 750s for 5 years, and the magnums for who knows how long.
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Razor sharp structure with slightly dormant fruit atop youthful alcohol and superbly integrated tannins. I have to confess it was opened at the end of a boozy night and scoffed down somewhat so didn't get to appreciate the complexity of flavors that should mark such a fine wine in a good year. Nonetheless the impression points to a stunner if given time to open up. I also suspect but cannot prove that it's now at peak and in light of the fruit flavors might not improve much further.
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No bricking. Crystal dark garnet color. Needs to breathe; decant 45 minutes. Still tight but displays palate saturating cherries, plums, anise, balanced cedar and tobacco notes. Not much aroma. Some youthful bitterness and tannin still showing. This one needs time. Try again in 2019 at the earliest.
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This wine continues to be one of my all-time favorite Bordeaux, particularly with respect to its potential. It has been parked for quite a few years in a state where it is eminently drinkable, but still sufficiently primary, with tremendous structure, that it is clearly going to be a devastatingly good wine in the future - maybe in 10 years. I have plenty of this wine, and will be tempted to open some bottles sooner, but I must resist that temptation!
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This from the same auction lot that had the bottle of '90 LLC I had recently. It and the remaining 6 have a Virginia import label on the front, vs. the other 6 I have which were futures purchased. This bottle had some run up on the cork in a couple of places but overall was in better shape than the '90. Decanted 2.5 hours. Dark blue fruit and austere on opening, it took the full 2-2.5 hours to fill out a bit. With 3 hours of air this is very good with food, and shows the promis of even better things to come. I like the style of this and what might materialize 5+ years from now, but can be enjoyed with food if given 3 hours of air. A-/A
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Decanted for approximately 2 hours. Dark garnet with bricky hints. Nose of red currant, cedar, moca, anise, and earth which waxed and waned through the evening. Quiet on the palate at first with a major unwrapping of flavors at about the 3 hour mark, revealing layers of dark currant, mulberry, mineral, and tobacco in waves. Lower acidity and much-resolved tannins, leading to a long, silky finish of sweet plum fruit gripped in fine-grained stone. Very balanced, elegant wine which is still slumbering and needs 5-10 more years.
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The '96 LLC has the look, feel and taste of a much younger wine. It possesses all the quality aspects to age and develop into a spectacular wine some many years down the road. The masculine structure, depth, and impeccable balance will leave you with no doubt of that. At the current stage, nose is light, with notes of currants, graphite, spice and wet earth. Palate probably is the highlight right now, with incredible balance and structure that will light up your senses. Let this one rest, and you will be rewarded.
Beautiful nose, although not particularly intense. But nice plum and dark fruit. Long finish, lighter than I'd imagined but really elegant. Plenty of life left. Perfect tonight with grilled lamb! (For what it's worth, decanted 2 hours.)
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Un nez très fin de mine de crayon, de liqueur de mûres. Le soyeux des tanins est incroyable, c'est de la dentelle! Le terme aérien dans le dictionnaire du vin a sans doute sa photo à coté. À 17 ans d'âge, il affiche une fraicheur et une délicatesse qu'on situeraient à Margaux...Je ne parle pas de l'appellation, ce vin a la finesse et la profondeur d'un premier cru. Caché sous ce velours se trouve une discrète structure, insoupçonnée, qui assure une longévité de quelques décennies. L'équilibre est fabuleux, il n'est même pas sur des arômes secondaires, c'est jeune et fruité, si facile à boire et si profond en même temps. Il ne lui manque que la complexité d'un vin à maturité, car il est encore jeune. Il frise la perfection et pourrait l'atteindre dans 5 à 10 ans...
Un très grand vin et sans aucun doute le meilleur St.-Julien que j'ai jamais pris. Mon vin de l'année. 97+ pts
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No formal note, big and tastes like a right bank ( blind ) although I'm really not sure why. This was super enjoyable as it has been in the past, I really like.
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Super Bowl 2014 (Roswell, GA): Dense dark core with 1/4" bricking; sandy earthy, tobacco, cigar, red currant, iron; fatter with soft tannin, graphite, gravel, viscous mouthfeel but lacked a little stuffing; very balanced this wine is already drinking well and extended aging would not be necessary; classic Left Bank Bordeaux in my opinion.
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Excellent nose, nice finish. Decanted for an hour. Didnt find it got better after a day in the decanter as some have found. Opened up more after an hour or so post decanting
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This opaque crimson/ruby wine was tasted in double-blind fashion with our Friday tasting group. The bottle was kindly provided by T.R. There is nothing subtle about this masculine offering, with intense "juvenile" aromas and flavors of black currants, tar, minerals and Asian spices. Full-bodied, fresh and with massive mouth-puckering tannins, it coats the palate throughout the beefy middle and lengthy finish. Although no doubt outstanding (if not classic) in quality, this bruiser is in desperate need of additional cellaring. Drink 2020-2035.
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drinking with 93 las cases tonight. completely 2 different wine. 93 a typical saint julien, 96 very delicate, difficult to guess its origin if blindly tested. Aroma of more floral than the typical bordeaux cassis, a margaux style was sensed. Wonderful and so potential, nice!!!
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Served blind, clearly this was a great Bordeaux from the Medoc. On the nose, tobacco, earth, cassis, wood and forest floor, on the palate, the wine was full bodied, concentrated and refined. However, this bottle was more advanced than other recently tasted examples. It was more open, less tannic and showed slightly more red fruits and signs of maturity than it should have. That being said, 1996 is one of the top vintages of Leoville Las Cases. It's a better wine than the much more expensive 1982.
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Ripe red fruit, spice box, chocolate, creamy, silky nose. Dark fruit on the palate, spicy, minty, power, balance, round and smooth tannins, very long. A wonderful wine with a great future, no rush drinking this. Really improved over time in glass although it was decanted 100 min+ before. Outstanding.
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LLC was opened 5 hours before consumption. Side by side with Pichon Baron 1999 that was opened 1 hour prior to consumption. Started with the Baron and boom the nose was there lovely as ever ready to go welcoming to drink this splendid juice. This bottle at the very end had a bit of sour apple and felt a bit more evolved then the previous 2 bottles on 6/17/2012 & 5/20/2013. I give the baron 93. One thing that is important here is the price. The Baron is around $100 and the LLC $200+ The LLC nose was a bit muted, this wine has been in a shut down mode for at least 10 years I remember one of my friends complaining about when is it ever going to be ready to enjoy the long wait. What did not offer on the nose made it up on the pallet very concentrated, tannic cab with a strong presence of spices would of liked to see a bit more fruit could have had a better score in my humble opinion. Was the LLC better than the baron, yes, was it mind blowing better, no. Is it worth shelling out twice as much for it? That is up to you fine wine brother's to decide, enjoy!!!
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Aerated for 90 minutes. A nearly perfect wine - loads of fruit with soft tannins. The wine is perfectly balanced and has a long finish. I'm a big fan of Las Cases and this wine definitely delvers.
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This is well on its way to excellence. P & P first night, bottle half finished and left alone for 2 nights, just as good 48 hours later. Satisfying deep red colour, perfect clarity, and sharp delineation at rim. Quite a gentle nose, but a palate of vigour and completeness, sweet, tannins fully integrated, not a hint of the harshness LLC can show in hard vintages. Probably still has further to go, but already a special bottle.
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Double decanted about 2 hours before serving. Youthful dark garnet color with no amber on the edges. Didn't sit in the decanter very long before back into the btl. Nice clean floral nose of fruit and spice. At first sip tanin was a little in the lead but with time in the glass it quickly became silky. A very balanced presentation of classic leftbank flavors such as tobacco, lead pencil, mineral and red fruit. One Bdx guy chastized me for opening too soon and he was probably right but so what. I'm in the "better early than too late" camp. That said, it probably makes sense to to hang onto this wine for at least another 3-5yrs for optimal pleasure.
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Note to Bordeaux novices: Leoville Las Cases, neighbor of Chateau Latour, is making one of Bordeaux's most conservative, slow aging, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting note: Dark ruby, not very evolved color. Discrete nose of wood, dark fruits, forest floor with a bit of barnyard. On the palate very conservatively structured (=dry) with gripping tannins but some good fruit in the background, very spicy too. This Leoville ist now finally approaching its drinking plateau after being pretty much closed and undrinkable in its first 15 years... While I like classic offerings, this vintage of Leoville is lacking the fruit to support the prevailing tannins. That is why I don't see this wine ever going to reach the 95 and above rating range (Just for comparison, the Latour 96 was closed for a very long time too but is now drinking splendidly). Don't even think of serving this LLC to someone who is not used to regularly drink old fashioned styled Bordeaux from the left bank. Open 1-2h prior to drinking.
Stunning first bottle from case, but still a baby, all primary flavours, med deep red still with purple edge, fresh cassis dominant on nose, med full, long, superb grip, fruit oozes class, components all there to improve on current VF (18.5/20).
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Opened one hour before service, but not decanted. Youthful purple core, turning to ruby at the rim; no signs of bricking. Immediately upon pouring, notes of cassis, ripe blackberry, plum and black truffle explode from the glass. Equally vibrant on the palate, with a round and generous texture -- just about perfect for me -- with great depth, balance and focus on the finish. A word of caution: this did gradually close down over the course of dinner, and by the end of the meal was not as impressive as it was out of the gate. This bodes well for a long life, but I will keep mine remaining stocks in the cellar for another few years before revisiting.
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lovely nose - pencil shaving, tobacco even a touch of cheese elegant ripe fruit, silky texture, grippy ripe tannins, perfect balance great fragrance, just gorgeously poised between youthful fruit and maturity delicious, very long A thrill to try a wine so complete
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4 wines in this blind flight, all turning out being 2:em Left Bank 1996 Bordeaux. Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Pichon – Longueville Baron, Léoville las Cases, Rauzan – Segla. This particular Chateau always seems to trick me when it comes to guess the age? It always seems to be at least 10 years younger than a neighbor chateau from the same vintage in a glass next to it, when tasted blind,. Tonight, up against 3 other left bank Bordeaux wines from the same vintage, it did it again. It seems like this matures so much slower than it’s neighbors, or is it just me? Anyway, the nose on this is young, with wood evident, some tobacco and deep black currant. Quite closed. The fruit is soft, even light, and the wine has a high (1996) acidity, clean and balanced, but all in all very closed down. I believe this wine needs at least 15+ more years before its starting to show its full potential. Score given for tonight’s performance, and not potential. I think this might turn out great, if drunk when this has matured.
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Dark purple color, aromas of black fruit, forest floor, licorice, sweet tobacco, and cassis. Perfectly balanced and luxuriously smooth with an extraction that fills the mouth with mature delicious fruit and rich terroir. Amazing finish!
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Deep garnet to the edge, no sign of bricking. Needs to breath; decant an hour in advance, otherwise it is tight and off balance before mellowing out, becoming velvety with a hint of acidity that keeps this wine from being fully round and balanced. Primarily black cherries, mouthwatering strawberry, anise, framboise, and black tea. Loaded with juicy fruits. This is a complex wine, of good length, deeply extracted fruit, and juicy acidity. Some chalky minerality and tannin is still evident. This will undoubtedly improve with 3 - 5 years in the cellar. It is not fully mature. Secondary flavors are yet to develop. Enjoyable to drink now, or hold and try again in 2016. Ninety-four points today, but 95-96 with time.
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Nez fermé au début, ensuite des fruits noirs, mûres font une apparition. La robe est très jeune, aucun signe d'évolution! Une bouche d'une jeunesse insolente pourvue d'un magnifique fruitée. Un gros wow pour moi. Ce vin a encore une très longue vie devant lui!
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Young, tannic but with great potential. Depth of plum taste almost reminded me of a tannic 2009 LLC. Buy with confidence... Will be clearly better than LLC 1990
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Leoville Las Cases 2004 > 1982, with Michael Schuster (Bordeaux Index, London): Another great showing, the second in a week. Dark in colour, youthfull. Full on St Julin nose, cedar, dark fruit, spice, floral. Full on firm tannin on the palate, fleshy, dense wine with lots of complexity and elegance. On the young side and needs easily another 5years to hits its full stride but very nice to encounter it again, in its gentle harmoneous masculinity. 95+ once again
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1996 Red Bordeaux (Medoc) , with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Elegant, full of finesse yet full restrain. Buttoned up in a way and hidden, tight and much like the first growths one that needs another 10 years to evolve into what should be superb wine. The nose is light restrained yet ever so elegant and balanced. On the palate it is closed, light on the fruit yet ever so balanced. Maybe it is star gazing but here we will break out norm and rate on potential. 95 and wait 10yrs.
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Deep dark garnet. Concentrated nose with sweet red fruit and the first touch of forest undergrowth. Abundant sweet, ripe tannin and lively acid support extremely ripe dark berry fruit. Long finish with graphite. Lovely fine dry texture, very fine and smooth.
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Similar to the bottle I tried a year ago, but slightly more evolved and more red fruit and leather. Somehow this bottle seemed lighter. More interesting, but still not as good as I had hoped.
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Faryan’s Grand Sendoff – Blue Duck Tavern - Mostly matured Bordeauxs (Blue Duck Tavern - Washington D.C.): Deeply toned and big scale. Sweet Inky black fruits, cassis, graphite, vanilla, mushroom and earth. Still extremely youthful and developing slowly. Exceptional concentration, sweet, silky and clean palate. Nicely integrated tannins. Clear LLC signature of clean, youthful and modern. Drinking nicely but will improve at least for the next 20 years and will last for a while thereafter.
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Leoville Las Cases - Vertical Tasting (Le Sommelier, Copenhagen): Intense young black currant fruit with a hint of meat and coffee. The acidity on the palate is just crazy. There is a hint of black currant fruit and a lot of iron in the flavors. Clean solid structure with a beautiful long aftertaste. It does however lack a little fruit to bring everything together. When the bottle was revealed I was a little disappointed as I had expected more from this vintage! Still a good LLC but to me nothing spectacular.
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This massive Leoville Las Cases was so powerful, tannic, structured, and young, served double blind, I was sure it was a 2005 Pauillac. Packed with layers of fruit, there is so much tannin, it was not much fun to drink, even after the wine had been decanted for several hours. This is a stunning wine, but it demands at least 10-15 more years before it comes together and softens.
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Two bottles with Charlotte over goats cheese in puff pastry and a Thai duck concoction cooked by her, both excellent. This wine is quite delicious, tannins fully resolved now, cedar and graphite on the palate, lovely with or without food. But it didn't seem quite to have the pzazz of the great years, although it's still on the young side and might still, I suppose, acquire some further complexity?
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Killer Bordeaux Tasting (Kevin's House (Minneapolis)): My wine of the night and groups wine of the night. An amazing effort that is balanced, powerful, graceful, elegant, etc. One of the best wines from Bordeaux I have sampled to date. Intense nose of clay, chocolate, figs, stones and raspberries. Long finish and complex. Drink now- 2040. Wonderful effort!!!
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Big Bordeaux III - Kickin' Ass & Takin' Names: Stunning Wines from 1986, 1990, 1996 + 2002 Cristal (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Very dark red/purple color. Slow ox for 2.5hrs. Decanted for 5.5hrs. Stunning Nose, NOTN, and given this lineup that is really saying something. Holy Crap, this is amazingly good, I can't get this ridiculous grin off my face as this just oozes out of the glass. Intensely perfumed nose of vanilla, ripe berries, graphite, creme de cassis, floral, funk, earth, oak. The palate is stainingly deep, rich and flavorful, full of power and absolutely elegant as well. Layers of black fruits, especially cassis, blackberry, prominent pencil shavings and charcoal, cedar, a little meat. Extremely long vibrant finish 90-120 seconds. Still young, but incredible now, where can this go? My WOTN, group WOTN with 7 of 10 1st place votes. 97+pts.
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Decanted for two+ hours then drank over the next two with grilled ribeyes, morel mushrooms in butter and garlic, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, green salad. Dark, inky color. Somewhat reluctant nose of cigar box, leather, dark fruit. Thick in the mouth. Palate was slightly monolithic red and dark fruit. Tannins sweet and getting integrated. All in all, a pleasant and enjoyable experience not quite as memorable as I expected. It is still fairly young. May be going into a dumb phase. Will try one of my other bottles in a few years.
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Night at the Bulls Game: Basically popped and poured. Seemed leaner or perhaps a bit shut down when compared to the 90 Montrose in the next glass. Darker firm red currant and cherry with tobacco and mineral tones with touches of new leather. The fruit was there on the palate, but it was fairly structured and not giving tons. Medium plus bodied with a moderate finish. Still in need of more time or an extended decant.
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The Impromptu '96 Horizontal (Mine, Hong Kong): This was a monster - deep and dense all the way to the rim. Quite closed. After I decanted it I assumed it would open up after a few hours but it was quite tortuous. It was like it was only a couple of years old. Some bell pepper, very full bodied and unctuously, thick. This coats the mouth and stays there - good for length but not enough flavours yet to warrant the score I thought this would get. Bit of a disappointment. I guess we leave this for another 10 years!
Drinking really well right now but should get better. Very expressive floral, dark fruits and earth on the nose. The palate follows suit with a great blend of finesse and power. Blackberries, blueberries, hints of plum, good minerality. Medium finish.
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Enormously classical luxurious bouquet with cassis, graphite, cedar, tobacco, etc. etc. On the palate all the luxurious impressions as well. Cassis, round tannin with a lot of power and perfect acidity. So classical juice. Extremely long finish. I scored it 96 for now, but there is room for a little more in the future. I would wait at least 5 years before trying the next bottle and the wine will definitely still be great around 2025.
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Had at a wine dinner. Not sure how long this had been opened before we got around to tasting. Deep and dark in color. Graphite, tobacco, blackberry and crushed rock on the nose. On the palate was dark cherries, forest floor, tobacco and cured meat. Everything was nicely integrated with still substantial tannins bringing up the rear. Host indicated he wasn't as wowed as he had been the last time he had cracked a bottle but for me it was a treat.
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This btl kind of got by me. Enjoying my guest and not as focused on the wine. Think we opened too many wines. Should have cut back on the whites. After everyone left I had a final small pour left from the blt and this last small glass seemed quite nice and up to the pedigre.
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Opened, decanted and sat for an hour. Classic st julien, on the nose, cedar, graphite, lead pencil. Massive and dense. Bramble, blackberry, opulent, very mouth filling. Nice mineral quality, slot going on. As it warmed up, almost too ripe, not sure its bad, it just needs more time to integrate
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Amazing aromatics. Crisp sharp fruit flavors. Great minerality. Wonderful depth and finesse. Very complete at this point but in no danger fading anytime soon.
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Oh What a Night! aka Kelvin's Stag Party (Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck, Paragon): Yet another brilliant wine. Also decanted for some 8 hours, this was a very different animal from the stupendous 1996 Lafite I had alongside. It had a very St Julien nose - tobacco, forest floor, sweet cassis, cigar, dried flowers – just wonderful stuff. The palate had a distinct ring of 1996 quality to it - really fresh, transparent, and pure with absolutely delicious flavours of succulent cassis and dark cherries flecked with hints of earth, tobacco and smoky meatiness. So very masculine, yet classy and elegant at the same time. What a wine! It was hard to put the glass down, given how delicious it was, but like the Lafite, this is a wine that has decades ahead of it. However, given the solid core of depth and the nobility of structure and balance here, I would not be surprised if this actually takes even longer to come around than its more illustrious northerly neighbour.
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Blueberry, blackcurrant, kirsch and some violet notes. Palate is bold, rounded and juicy. Very youthful and I think it will be better in 5-10 years but very appealing to drink already.
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Served double blind, my first introduction to the wine was the strong perfume that was filled with crushed stone, tobacco, cassis, smoke, earth and blackberry. Powerful, intense, full bodied, tannic and deep, this Bordeaux wine combined concentration and finesse for a wine of First Growth quality. While the wine had ample stuffing and structure to age for generations, the tannins were so ripe and round, this was already approachable. Classy and stylish, with a long, pure, cassis filled finish, this is now my favorite vintage of Leoville Las Cases.
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Very youthful deep crimson-purple color. Still quite primary and linear, with plenty of piney wood, plum, and berries. Showing great balance and concentration, this will live for many years, but it is thoroughly enjoyable right now with a lengthy decant, if you don't mind the firm tannins. It achieves the purity of fruit of a New World fruit bomb, without the excessive alcohol and without sacrificing structure. Very impressive.
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Consumed from magnums purchased at Bassin's. This wine is stellar. It needs a little time decanting but it opens up very nicely. Ready now. Not at all closed or shut down. Elegant and refined. Most highly recommended.
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Château Léoville Las Cases Back Vintage Dinner (Chambar Restaurant, Vancouver, BC): Fruit forward nose which was slightly sweet, showing pencil shavings, black cherry, dark plum, prune, tobacco, and a touch of mint. Huge sharp palate dominated by dark cherry, along with lead pencil, plum, black pepper, mint, asphalt, and a touch of anise. Extremely dry and layered, with lots of dusty tannin. While young, this is showing loads of potential for those who are patient and wait this out. Extremely long finish, ending with cherry and plum. Fantastic, my wine of the night.
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Decanted for 2hrs, drank over the next 2hrs. Somewhat closed on the nose. Dark fruits, earth, tobacco. Tannins are noticeable. Nicely integrated palate, medium length finish. A sound wine, but not worth the score in my view. It clearly has a long life ahead so look forward to trying it again in 5yrs. I expect this will improve in time.
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Decanted for three hours. Violet, ruby and garnet, with a lightening and blushed rim. Tobacco, graphite, rose petals, cedar and marinated meat. The aromatics grabs me the most. Long and captivating, with micro-fiber tannins that still have presence. A prudent and enjoyable Las-Cases. I'm sorry, this is outstanding, however, not as mythic or classic as some have claimed. Don't get me wrong, I would enjoy this any time and there's still a long life ahead. A nice floral note on the finish. Drink now - 2028.
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Last tasted in March 2006, when it was a stygian purple, imperious, impenetrable, intense, forbidding, unknit, potentially wonderful, but 10 years away from being ready. I bought 3 cases, and resolved to forget all about them for a decade. But then I decided this week to try each of the LLCs of 1995, 1996 & 1988 (in that order), just to see how they are coming along. Well ....... the 1996 has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. It is now ready to drink with pleasure, the tannins are resolved, and it is simply delicious. Blackcurrants & brambles, chalk & minerals, sweet but not overly so, very long. Now it is commanding rather than imperious, still intense but no longer overwhelming in its intensity. Ideally a few more years will increase its complexity, but this was still a delightful surprise. On its way to 95 or even 96 points. I fear the 1988 may be a surprise as well, but not in the same way .................
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Opened for 26th wedding anniversary. Let sit for an hour before pouring (too lazy to decant) and then let sit in the glass for a 1/2 hour. "WOW" is my immediate reaction to the nose. Medium-dark red. Initial wave of cassis gives way to leather and tobacco with the cassis then re-emerging. On the first sip there's a "Tannin alert!" Intense flavors are there but they're still doing battle. Five more years before I open the next one. 92-96 pts? Maybe even better? Good stuff but too far removed from optimum drinking to get a handle on how good.
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From a half-bottle. Dark garnet colour, with no significant signs of bricking. On the nose, this is dusty, with some notes of smoke, vanilla, bitter orange peel, and a hint of cassis. Seems like this is at the awkward pimply-teenage phase where it's lost the fruit of youth but yet to develop the maturity of adulthood. The analogy's all the more fitting seeing that this is a 14-year-old wine. The palate is quite smooth, with some black fruit slowly emerging on the midpalate, alongside dusty and smoke notes. The acidity's there for this to last the long haul and the tannins, though velvety, still could use a bit more time. Palate seems somewhat unfocused right now. Somewhat disappointing; I suppose I'm going to have to stash the rest in the back of my cellar and forget about it for a few years. This opened up significantly over the course of the next few hours -- decant if you must drink it now.
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What has happened to this wine? What was once a beautiful 1996 ripe tannic St. Julien has become hard and unfriendly the last few times I've had it. It was kind of lost among all of the other wines tasted this night.
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Retail purchase, held 2 years. Soft cork, first LLC with even a hint of fault. Nose was muddy, descanting helped it, and I agree let it sit for a few hours, it builds and reveals layers and power in time. Nice color, a more elegant presentation of LLC than expected, lacking just a fraction of full volume and depth. Long finish. A step up from the 96 Clos du Marquis, both drinking very well. Long, balanced. Decant and serve in 3 hours.
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French Wine Tasting in Lavandou Restaurant, Washington D.C. (Lavandou Restaurant, Washington D.C.): Another single bottle I own, and the first time I recall ever trying this. A great opportunity because this bottle screams: “Do not open me yet!” A very rich and powerful nose - oddly enough like the Angelus in that sense - but the palate is streamlined and muscular, not thick or broad. In a word: closed. Time in glass, revisiting about one hour later, does open it up a tad, and actually allows you to experience the great depth this wine possesses. But, really, do yourself a favor if you own this wine and wait another 8-10 years before popping that cork.
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Medium garnet. Explosive nose. Mostly (noble) manure, barnyard, hay, wonderfull. Fully mature, surprisingly soon for such a wine. Not a bad thing though. I have tasted Bordeaux's from 1990 and they were younger. This wine is ready. Very well balanced, flavourful, with animal, black fruit, herbs, botanicals and sweetness in the mouth, very expressive and exuberant with amazing finish. Might not be the most elegant Bordeaux but it is a great wine.
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Good, but underperforming relative to the predictions of the gods. Currants, blackberry, graphite, pepper and a hint of still toasty oak. Balanced and proper, but ultimately lacks complexity and excitement....maybe with time, but right now it's a bit disappointing.
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, white pepper, spice, shale, a bit of ash and a mix of dark fruits. Flavors of black berries, plums, cherries and light notes of currants. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.
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Musty and leathery smell. Mossy and mineral upfront taste. Smooth taste, but can still benefit from a few more years of age. Probably could wait 10+ years.
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Dinner at Home with Friends (Chicago IL): Opened for 6 hours before serving. Sweet red currant and cassis on the nose with cedar, tobacco, and leather. Some wet earth as well. A fruit forward palate with great texture. A very long finish with fine tannin. Very youthful.
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Part of a blind tasting of Leoville Poyferre, Barton and Las Cases, 1982, 1990, 1996 and 2000 with Acker. The nose is sweet, creamy and delicious. Rich with caramel, cream and fruits subdued by the tannens. Nowhere near ready.
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Pure classic with inky purple color followed by aromas of cherry, licorice, and cassis. Perfectly balanced and heavenly smooth with an extracted richness that fills the mouth with fruit, minerals, and terroir that blend into a beautiful flavor and finish.
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Another weekend of Excess; 8/21/2009-8/24/2009 (Chicagoland): Sweet red fruits, plum/cherry/berry on the nose and palate with some cedar and (nice) vegetal notes. Lusher fruit on the palate than the '95 and this one was the initial favorite of the flight, but after a half hour the '95 beat it.
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Good nose..but that was all. Thin, flat.....very unfortunate given my expectations. Decanted for awhile which helped minimize the sharp negatives but didn't induce positives. Disappointing.
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BWE does Manhattan: a 1996 & 2003 Bordeaux Retrospective: Not surprisingly, this is the slowest wine to open up of the 1996 Left Bankers. The tannins are big but soft. Big upside, check back in 10 years. Classy, excellent. (5 2nd-place votes, 1 3rd-place vote = 11 pts)
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Second time I've tried this and it'[s still not open for business, not even from 375ml and not on the second day either. It's starting to develop some fullness and good mouthfeel but the flavors are still repressed and there is still an astringency that one hopes will disappear in a few years. Not yet my cup of tea.
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one of my favorite wines- opened not decanted but poured into glasses for an hour before drinking- starting to mature, but this is a full bodied bruiser- in a classical sort of way. it is certainly all bordeaux with beautiful black fruit, a tocuh of mocha and lead minerality.absolutely delicious (i had with an elk rib chop and a potato chip with subtle blue cheese). this wine has an ultra long finish- i've not touched my stash of 2000 llc but if it's better than this '96... how could it be!?!
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Leoville Las Cases at My House: It was great to taste this against the '95 as the comparisons were very interesting. The '96 shows redder fruit and a more open personality at the moment. Some smoke with red fruit on the intriguing nose. In the mouth this seems much more elegant with finer grain tannin, sweeter fruit, and a more expansive flavor profile on the palate. Excellent wine that showed well tonight, but should become much, much better with additional time in the cellar.
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Tasting Group Dinner - Léoville Las Cases (Dave's House): Double decanted about 3 hours. Tasted side-by-side with the '95 LLC (see TN), the '96 had a sweeter, slightly redder core of fruit. Tight and smoky, with wonderful structure and texture, and a long, ripely tannic finish. Quite closed, and also in need of at least 5 more years of bottle age. I marginally preferred the '96 due to its livelier fruit.
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My first Leoville and I'm just flat blown away. It has everything its supposed to..leather, earth, black fruit, working tannins, and a finish that is wonderful. Glad I have 5 more!!
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Decanted 5 hours. Beautiful dark purple color. Dark cherry, leather and tobacco with some cedar to the senses. Smooth and totally enjoyable. Well balanced. Long unending finish.
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This is very nice, but it not at its peak. It is mildly closed down, though there is a suggestion of excellence that only peaks its nose through after a long time in the glass. Cherries, leather and cassis, lovely weight, but a surprisingly short finish. Will improve with a more age. I wont open another for 3-5 years.
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Quite fantastic... the color was a remarkably youthful purple/violet with a beautiful bouquet of chipped cedar, cherry-cranberry and honeyed leather. The palate indeed was remarkably dry and just exquisitely complex and satisfying, with every sip bringing almost entirely different notions to mind from sweet tobacco smoke, to a salted, spiced, exotic cherry pie... anyway, a real treat.
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While not yet fully mature, this wine is starting to show wonderfully. The leather and tobacco in the nose are beginning to emerge and the palate is well balanced. Tannins are present, but gentle and starting to resolve. Excellent!
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Decanted two hours and served in Riedel sommelier bordeaux. Bright, clear medium ruby, good viscosity. Copious amounts of cedar and creme de cassis on both the nose and the palate...and it's in the latter area where this magnificent wine really sings. Tremendous purity of fruit but made in a style that balances earthy Bordeaux with richer, more fruit-forward wines. It's refreshing, easily drinkable, bone dry and very pure with a long finish that leaves you wanting more. This bottle went by very quickly. Marvelous and probably just entering its drinking window, where it will no doubt last for many years.
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Opened up quite nicely - I've been very disappointed by bordeaux wines of late, they too often taste tight and like an old barrel to me, but this one had nice balance.
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This was decanted for about an hour. Still youthful, but open and awesome now. If I only had a few, I would wait another 10 years to give this thoroughbred time to reach maturity. Great balance, class, length, a classic. The wine is rich yet dry, long yet subtle, ripe yet restrained. It got better and better in the glass, with lots of tobacco scents and cabernet fruit.
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Magnifique nez. Très belles fraicheur et finesse, avec un équilibre souverain, aérien, sans esbroufe. Wow, un grand vin dont seule la finale n'est pas hallucinante.
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HDH 95/96 Comparative Tasting (Newberry Library, Chicago IL): nose: wow, this nose just comes up and punches you in both the face and gut at the same time. This wine is not messing around at all and lets you know where you stand. Tobbacco, dark fruit, black licorice all want for you attention and are working together. This is a massive nose
taste: extremely big and concentrated. Very young on the mouth, this one is wants to break out of it's shell and scream and it's just starting to poke out. Minerals, earth, dark fruit, and anise just jump on the palate
overall: this is a big time Heavyweight boxer of a wine. It just nails all parts of the palate and has an insanely long finish. It's still a baby though as the tannin structure is still very big. This has some serious stuffing to it and hasn't yet come out of its shell. If it's this good now, I can only imagine how it'll be when it breaks out fully
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1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Custom House): Full rich bright black/red coffee spicy nose. Still tight, but really good stuffing - round and polished with clear breed. Hold on for another 5-10 years...
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1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Custom House - Chicago, IL): Deep, rich and and concentrated aromatics show pure currant fruits. Rich and full-bodied, the palate has loads of pure currant fruit that have sufficient ripeness to stand up to some significant tannic structure. Enjoyable today, but this seems to be sitting on a time bomb of complexity that'll be unleashed with further bottle age. A perfect foil to the NY strip.
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Tasted at a London offline with BirDungy at The Arches. An exceptional Bordeaux that is still in its adolescence. Great purity, with a tremendous orb of density in the mid-palate. Great things lie ahead for this one.
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Beautiful saturated purple crimson color, with wonderful dark cherry nose. I thought it to be nearing ready, but closed. I believe this wine to be light-bodied and modestly complex.
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Decanted for 3+ hours. Very well balanced wine with secondary notes of cigar box and lead pencil. If you like the Leoville/St. Julien style, the vintage is worth buying. I think a few more years will improve it but it is close to being ready.
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Easily the star of the dry reds -- this is a powerhouse of a wine. Some contemplated California, describing this as 'in-between'. I can see that; it certainly is ripe, round, and fleshy wine -- density without any sense of heaviness. But on the nose, there's a slightly stemmy red-current bud scent that signals Bordeaux -- I even thought it might be the 2000 LLC (too much wine by that time). Just seemless on the palate with a huge finish. Terrific today, this is going to be great. David Cramer poured this for us a few months ago and I think it showed very consistent with that bottle. This can be enjoyed today -- but, there's a lot of promise here.
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Didn't meet my expectations. On the positive side, this wine has a beautiful nose and is elegant. However, it was very light-bodied and only modestly complex. While one could say that this is young, I'm not convinced that time will make a big difference. I hope to be proven wrong.
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Hard to put a number on this one. I bought several bottles on the basis of widespread excitement about this wine. Opened the first one from a half bottle and drank it both 3 hr and 10 hr after opening. It was very structured and focused and certainly has potential but it didn't quite show it tonite. The nose was pungent and almost astringent. The taste was similar with strong black fruit flavors but accompanied by a volatile, cough drop quality. I'll hold on to what I got but hope it shows better next time. For comparison, we opened a 97 Beringer Private Reserve Cab and it was unanimously preferred to the Las Cases.
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Very elegant wine. Dark fruits and coffee, asphalt, lead pencil, cassis. Still an infant at this time - it already shows a lot. I love Las Cases style and this one promises to score a very high mark in 10 years.
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I don't remember ever having tasted three different vintages of LLC in one week. There's a first time for everything. This is it! Qualitatively on par with Monday's 1986, and certainly a couple of steps ahead of the 1989. This is reasonably open -- showing about as good as one could hope on the nose -- cedar/cigar box/lead pencil and the purest cassis you can imagine. Classy comes to mind. I suspect this will gain some depth of flavor in the coming years. Better than a bottle a year ago, but still a good bit of room to improve, I suspect. I loved this. Special wine.
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Just a massive wine with years of growth ahead. Heidi and Angel brought this and the 79 LLC for New Years. Spice, cassis, vanillan notes and massive fruit were the most noticable. Amazingly for such a powerful wine, that tannins weren't out of whack. This is a wine to look for and enjoy for decades to come! Still more upside on the scoring as the wine matures. A real treat for New Years.
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I found this bottle somewhat closed. Not what I had expected. There was a bit of excitement arround this wine and it lacked the fruit the the style I was looking for. I look forward the next bottle but given what i got i will be waiting quite a bit. it was still a supperb bottle of wine.
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On the nose, not quite so flamboyant and “in your face” as the Ducru, but still showing remarkable richness and finesse. No trace of those slightly barnyardy aromas appearing in most of the other Medoc (where did they go, or were they ever there?). My and some others choice for Wine Mouth of the Night. The adjective “seamless” comes to mind, but this doesn’t really do the tasting experience justice. What is really striking here is the combination of great complexity and seamless integration of rich fruit, acid, and tannin—not a single room lacking corners and angles, but really a labyrinthine series of corridors, all similarly smooth and seamless. I was reminded of Beaudelaire’s line from one of his poems (which I quote from memory): “Tout la est luxe et calme…”. Anyway, I convinced myself at least that life is too short not to drink a great LLC like this at least once. I am guessing that the aromatic complexity of this wine will continue to develop with more bottle age.
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Tasted at vertical Leoville-Las Cases dinner at the University Club. Bright disc, with opaque purple robe and purple rim. Clean nose, showing intense plum, anise, currants and blackberries (almost Rhone-like). Full-bodied, with ample, fairly well-integrated tannins and similar flavors as nose. Long, slightly astringent finish. This is a beautiful wine which should blossom into something really special. Needs time to show its full potential.
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4/7/2024 - Benoit Hardy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drunk for the first time in 2020, it made a strong impression on me.
Nose of incredible precision: black fruits, tobacco, precious wood and a touch of spice.
The mouth is as deep as it is precise. This wine alone offers a dive into Bordeaux classicism: of breathtaking elegance, the wine is serene, balanced and spherical with incredible depth: the black fruit gradually fades away for the tobacco, which itself leaves the make way for leather, then cedar… The juice is dense, served by a filigree acidity which stretches the whole in a harmonious way. The wine is both delicate but it imposes its presence in a natural way. It has barely changed compared to my memories of 2020. Finale with a delicious texture, spicy and crystalline at the same time which stretches endlessly.
Great Bordeaux. I have Mouton and Lafite in this vintage, curious to put it against these two big names and Chateau Margaux 1996 which also seems majestic.
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4/5/2024 - drcheung Likes this wine: 94 Points
2nd bottle because first was flawed, very nice bordeaux nose, nicely balanced on palate, what stopped me from giving a higher score was the short length
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4/5/2024 - drcheung wrote: flawed
TCA
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3/29/2024 - UTPK wrote:
Second bottle in three months. I really like the 1996 vintage for its classic restrained fruit and typical left bank aromas which become so well defined in this vintage. Leoville Las Cases is as always the biggest and most complex of all the Leovilles. It really outshown competition in 1996. This is clearly Premier Cru quality and it might just be imagination, but the nearness to Latour can be noticed in the glass. Great wine!
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3/18/2024 - Rob Hansult Likes this wine: 93 Points
(93+ Points) Deep ruby garnet. Cool pencil lead with wild red, purple & black berry fruit. Tight, slightly grippy wild bramble, wineberry, sumac & iron. Tighter than '00. Excellent intensity. Tannins big, ripe & with strong grip still.
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3/15/2024 - Jake Barnes wrote: 91 Points
From a bottle purchased a couple years ago at a cellar sale, with a like-new fill and a strong cork soaked only one-quarter of an inch in one spot—so a well cared for example, it would seem.
Taking the advice of other CT tasters, I decanted for three hours and served. In the end, the concentration proved to be adequate at best, and although it filled out a bit in the decanter, the wine remained underwhelming. It wasn’t old and it wasn’t young, and while everything was quite correct, it came across as nothing more than a rather generic older wine lacking any real complexity. The nose was the best part by far, and even that was fairly generic. The palate was rustic and a bit uneven.
I didn’t get the feeling that more time in the cellar was what the doctor was ordering here. This just seemed to be what it was, but I won’t say that a longer decant might not have helped. I left three ounces out over night, and while the wine was clearly falling apart on the palate the next morning, the nose had become much more pure in some respects.
Old bottles being what they are, perhaps this was just this bottle—or me. To be fair, I’m seldom wowed by expensive wines. I guess I expect too much from them—the way one might expect a lot from an expensive diamond ring as opposed to a moderately priced diamond ring. At some point, though, they they’re both just diamonds and precious metal. Does the expensive ring sparkle more brightly and bring greater pleasure? Perhaps, but only in an incremental and almost intangible way that is out of all proportion to the premium paid for it. At some point, wine is exactly like this—it doesn’t really get better and better. It just gets more and more expensive. 12.5% ABV (***/16/91)
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2/16/2024 - Simba-wine Likes this wine: 100 Points
Weinclub
Wine 12 and for me and the group clearly the WOTN
This is my first bottle of the 96 LLC and it did deliver what I expected!
Iron fist in velvet glove…Deep, complex, impeccable balanced and still super young but in first drinking window. The finish lasts nearly 2min!
This absolutely killed the superb Pichon Comtesse.
Blind I could have been fooled for the next door neighbor Latour. Made for eternity.
2025 - 2064
💯
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2/12/2024 - Swintonblade Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing! Perfect development & still plenty of fruit showing with huge length!
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2/1/2024 - PC99 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Almost as big as 1990 LLC. Eucalyptus, graphites, bit of pencil lead. Balanced and rounded. So aromatic and best to wait for 90 minutes before it opens. All in all a great wine with so much in it. Perfect time to start drinking.
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1/27/2024 - Shugs_Claret wrote: 94 Points
Mature bottle. Mixed berries.
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1/16/2024 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 97 Points
An evening of fine wine and food (Black Salt Restaurant, Washington D.C.): A close to 98-pointer, but still a bit too reserved for that high a score. LLC is notorious for opening up (cue the 1986) and this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc is no exception. But what breeding and class to the palate! I kept thinking "gorgeous finesse" which this wine has in spades. A very polished wine. Am I repeating myself with synonyms? Yes. With the most pristine balance and refinement among the three Bordeaux we enjoyed over dinner, but over time, I could not help but noting an almost fiery single malt power within the wine, not as evidently "wild" as the Cos tasted alongside, but more subtle. This wine has the depth and density and structure to gain in complexity and to get a higher score in about 5 to 10 years, so no rush. I had opened this bottle the morning of the dinner, then double decanted to remove some deposits two hours before the dinner. And, yes, ripe but not overripe fruit, with cool blueberry, tobacco leaf and cassis. Long, long finish. 12.5% alcohol.
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1/13/2024 - Ozen Likes this wine: 94 Points
I have had the pleasure of comparing the LLC 1990 and 1996 quite a few times next to each other with consistent notes: The 1996 continues to be a truly grand wine, with somewhat remarkable contrast next to the 1990, which is more opulent and more hedonistic. Compared to the LLC 1990 a more correct LLC rather than an enthralling one. Somewhat too strict, rather formal. Sorry to make this a plee for the 1990 but this would be a straightjacket version of the incredible 1990 next to it (again).
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1/12/2024 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar cedar nose to the ‘00 but more tannic and reserved. Very concentrated but highly acidic and needs food. Hold. 93
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12/29/2023 - nywine68 wrote: 93 Points
Drank side by side with the 95 last night. The 96 has more stuffing and complexity. This has a racy core of acidity that keeps the wine very fresh and vibrant. Superfine tannins give this very nice structure. Blackberries and red currants. In secondary development but will easily last another 10 years (unlike the 95).
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12/22/2023 - brianakrin wrote: 93 Points
Good nose, good fruit, youthful and angular for its age. After some air -rich,round and complete very Bordeaux. A wonderful wine that’s drinking well!
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12/21/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Holiday Champagne Gala (Wilmette Harbor Club): Tasted at gala dinner. Much too young, still very firm in the middle. Good density and volume, but give this more time in the cellar.
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12/21/2023 - bugdoced Likes this wine: 95 Points
so tight when first opened
then an hour later the elegant bordeaux pedigree was there for all to taste
my favorite wotn amongst many close contenders at holiday dinner in Wilmette
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12/1/2023 - Romol wrote: flawed
Unfortunately, this bottle was not perfect. I don't know exactly what was wrong with it, but the wine was never as good as the last bottle. I suspect slightly flawed. Therefore no rating.
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12/1/2023 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nice Bordeaux at the beginning of its peak drinking window. Pretty aromatics, fruit is rich and bright but still a bit primary and youthful. Lots of life left here, this will certainly continue to improve over the next several years.
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11/1/2023 - Shugs_Claret wrote: 95 Points
Aromatic on opening. Mixed berries and coffee. Early drinking window, with fruit still quite noticeable on the palate (red fruit initially but mixed berries with air), which is long and persistent. Tertiary notes of chocolate, coffee and pencil shavings offer the complexity to make this an interesting wine. Silky tannins still persistent and provide a little bite. Low (relative) ABV at 12.5% Everything holds together nicely. No rush but ready to go if you like wines in early maturity (which is my preference).
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10/19/2023 - GH_winelover Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours and then drank over the next two. Excellent color. Still dark and brooding. Powerful on the nose. Smooth and seamless. First bottle of six. Will decant a little longer for the next one.
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9/29/2023 - jkwoodward wrote: 94 Points
Still needs time. Best in last sip 3 hours in. Enjoyed at Bazaar meat. Best with suckling pig still very primary.
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9/16/2023 - Oliverl1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Purchased in 2021 at retail and fill level was at base of neck. Stored in the same conditions at 55° for the past two years. Fill level still the same thankfully.
Upon opening, the cork broke in half and was soaked halfway. However, it had not affected the wine at all.
Decanted. Lots and lots of sediment.
Had small amounts every hour or so after the 6-hour mark and it seemed to be at its best after a total of 9 hours… so that’s when I got stuck in. In one of Robert Parker’s early reviews he stated it was “palate staining” and yes, that is certainly an excellent way to describe one of the characteristics of this wine.
I don’t think I could say it was the best wine I have ever had, but it is definitely up there.
I think this wine has just started drinking properly and will most likely be at its absolute best in about 5 years time.
Drink now with a good 6+ hour decant or hold for up to another 20 years.
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9/3/2023 - Ozen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drank this next to the LLC 1990. The 1996 is a grand vin for sure. Fully mature but enough stamina for many more years. Slightly more masculine than the enthralling beauty they made in 1990. And only very sligthly, more herbal than the 1990, but for sure another incredibly beautiful Saint Julien. LLC for me represents the very best this subregion can produce.
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8/30/2023 - kidsmurf2000 wrote: 92 Points
Smelt great upon opening but faded quickly.
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8/15/2023 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still young, big dense but great black fruits and of course a big structure, for which Las Cases is famous. This is old style Bordeaux at its best. Medium plus weight. Austere and quite dry finish. Long and complex. Drinking now, will last for decades.
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6/5/2023 - Marc wrote: 96 Points
Celebrating 140 Years with 7 chefs (Pokai Parera, Ekatahuna, New Zealand): A great showing for one of the finest wines of the vintage. Classic, old-school Las Cases, that features blackcurrant, graphite, iron ore, and dense and dark, fully subsumed oak. The palate is mature, but has not reached its apogee of expression. Huge length, spectacular clarity, and a classy and complete finish. This is savoury, intense, and a great expression of its style.
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5/19/2023 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Woefully young, amazing for a 27 year old vintage, this is still tightly structured despite the 2 hour decant, and 2 hour bottle-breathe at Wan Chai Hong Kong's Wagyumafia.
Some sweetness on the shy nose. I did see hints of evolution in my glass, but I craved for more complexity and it was still black fruit dominant at this stage.
This is very concentrated, with over-ripeness of that luscious Cab fruit. Tannin levels are still very high, but one can definitely feel the magic is just waiting to be unleashed in this beast.
A blend of 70% Cab (Higher then normal due to the vintage), 14% Merlot and 16% Cab Franc (70% new oak), I found the finish to be very long at circa 1 minute. A wine of impressive weight, and purity, can't wait to see where this goes in the future.
There was cedar and graphite at the end of our tasting, but the tight and dusty tannins indicated there is more to come for this quintessential Bordeaux.
The 1996 vintage:
1996 Bordeaux wine is often described as a legendary vintage, and one which celebrates Cabernet Sauvignon. The Medoc was graced with hot, sunny and dry conditions, giving vines the perfect amount of stress allowing Cab Sauv (or Cab) to achieve excellent phenolic ripeness.
It started with a mild winter, then Bordeaux enjoyed warm weather starting from early March through April. May was cool, and June was hot. Flowering was quick and whilst July started off cool and moist, things quickly improved after.
At the end of Aug, a large rainstorm mainly affected the Right Bank and Margaux too. Oddly despite the proximity, very little rain fell in Pauillac, St. Julien and St. Estephe. This was perfect for the Cab.
Sept once again saved the day for the Medoc, with the first 3 weeks of Sept being both sunny and dry, with strong winds further drying the vineyards. In fact TheWineCellarInsider described these winds as helping shape the vintage!
Professional ratings:
Rated RP98 and in fact Parker started off his review with "Wow, wow, wow!", this is described as one of the best wines of the vintage. This "proper Claret" is one which obviously needs a lot more time, try again in say 2030.
Thanks for dinner and the iconic wines, brother TC. Enjoyed over a super entertaining dinner at Wagyumafia with Ronno and YSL too.
Hong Kong
19 May 2023
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5/8/2023 - remyworldpeace Likes this wine: 94 Points
Browning red. Fairly subtle nose of stewed red fruits and lefty forest floor. Touch of cedar. Palate dark and red fruit, cherries, unripe blackberry and cassis, dried raspberries etc. Cedar, some tobacco leaf and forest floor notes. Touch of pepper and menthol on finish. Nice long finish.
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5/4/2023 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very different from the '90 tasted alongside, this wine was way more structured and tightly-coiled. It really blossomed in the glass though suggesting it may ultimately pass the '90 down the road. There is real grip, intensity and depth of black fruit here and an amazing complexity laying just below the surface. I can't wait to follow this wine over the coming decades. 94+
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4/2/2023 - alexbhurst1678 wrote: 91 Points
Drank last night at our dinner part; good, but not great; never had any "there there" moments; finish wasn't super exciting.
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3/30/2023 - Bob H wrote:
Still a young wine, but I like this. Quintessential Bordeaux, with cedar, graphite - delicious.
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3/18/2023 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was so disappointing. It possibly could be a top notch Bordeaux, and somewhat worthy of its accolades. However, at this moment it lacks the pedigree of the 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1990. To be fair structurally, it is lacking at this stage, and bottle age could move this into a 98/99 wine, but I'm not convinced, and at present it is good but pretty average, and I am puzzled how some critics reached their heady ratings. The balance is impeccable with the tannin sweet, and is worthy of a top notch wine, but it lacks depth. Will revisit in 3 years.
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3/9/2023 - wineappreciation wrote: 92 Points
From half bottle: Unripe blackberry, cassis, leather, strong cigar box, very classic nose; on the palate it is smooth and elegant, but also powerful and bold, though somewhat monolithic and still seems too young… “Las Cases… never fully resolved…”
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2/16/2023 - Gourmet Christian Likes this wine: 97 Points
English text below:
Nach einem Las Cases 1982 genossen. Was für ein gewaltiger Unterschied. Kork fast wie neu. dunkles Rubin, minimal orange an den Rändern.
Kirschen, Tabak, Veilchen, Blueberry , blackcurrent, das schreibe ich sonst Nie : Umami ! wunderbar integrierte Tannine - ewig langer Abgang. mit 12.5% äusserst bekömmlich. Ein hocheleganter tanzender Marquis auf dem absoluten Zenit
after enjoying a Las Cases 1982. What a huge difference. Cork almost like new. dark ruby, minimal orange at the rims.
Cherries, tobacco, violets, blueberry , blackcurrant, I usually never write it : umami ! wonderfully integrated tannins - eternal long finish. at 12.5% extremely digestible. A highly elegant dancing Marquis at its absolute zenith
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2/5/2023 - Sticks62 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pretty good. Buy again
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2/3/2023 - Kevnzworld wrote: 91 Points
Rich dark berries, a touch of tobacco on the finish
Earthy balanced and drinking beautifully. The ‘96’s have entered their prime drinking zone.
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1/28/2023 - dbg wrote:
I usually drink my LLCs too soon, finding them among the slowest Bordeaux to develop. So I waited 27 years to pop my first ‘96. Glad I did.
Cellared since release, perfect fill, bottom 1/4 of cork is moist. Dark red to rim. Nose is immediately giving up tons of cassis, dark fruit, cedar, moist earth, mushrooms. Medium-full body, beautifully balanced, crisp fresh fruit with mouth watering acidity and umami, tannins apparent in background, early maturity with beginning complexity. Eminently drinkable now with anticipated improvement and increasing complexity over the next 5-10 years. Excellent-outstanding.
About 1/4 was left in the fridge overnight. Showed just as well the next night with tannins a bit more present.
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1/27/2023 - Hendmo Likes this wine: 96 Points
Coravined a glass and left to unwind for half an hour. This had an expressive nose with rich macerated blueberry/blackberry and a beautiful violet/floral character. Smooth and balanced on the palate, with pure fruit, and hints of forest floor and morel mushrooms. Long finish with slightly dusty tannins at first, but they integrated nicely with some time in the glass. A classic, beautifully balanced wine at the start of its drinking window.
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1/11/2023 - Fftjr wrote:
Sold to Scott
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12/27/2022 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Last tasting note that I wrote on this wine was in 2018. This particular bottle tonight was ex-chateau release so you know it was perfectly stored. Bottom line? Near perfection in a bottle, yet not tonight. Despite the 2 hour decant, it is still just a pup and needs another 5-10 years. I still enjoyed every minute of it tonight, but I was left feeling like I opened it too early.
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12/25/2022 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 95 Points
Medium to dark ruby. Decanted for one hour. Cork broke but the Ah-So saved the day. Throwing a bit of sediment. Rich nose of forest floor compost. Delicious mouth filling fruit. Tannins mostly resolved but this wine is well balanced and has many more years of pleasure to share.
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12/20/2022 - BradE wrote:
Classic, solid, nice.
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12/10/2022 - King Julien wrote: 96 Points
Decanted 2 hours. These are in a great spot right now. No tannins to speak of, very smooth, plenty of fruit, and nice complexity. Nose is a little shy, but pleasant. Enjoyed over 2 hours.
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11/13/2022 - jmoon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Initially a bit funky, turning to grandmas basement and cedar, fortunately this blew off after an hour to reveal a classic old school cassis structure. Solid but unspectacular. Held together on day 2 so don’t be afraid of a long decant.
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11/1/2022 - csimm wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux tasting - with a few pirates: This was drinking rather beautifully, perhaps much in part to its handler’s decanting protocols prior to arrival. Bravo for that! Medium bodied flavors of red raspberries, cedar, earth, old cinnamon stick, plum skin, and iron parallel notes of unsmoked cigar, leather, and torched orange peel. Balls up a bit on the finish, with a firmness that keeps it in classical mode, not allowing the fruit (what remains of it) to fully give way. I sensed a slight bit of funk here, but nothing that didn’t blow off with some swirling in the glass.
The 2015 Cases was served beside it, which I personally favored, though the 2015 was pretty strait-laced for most of the evening.
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10/30/2022 - AaronMaxwell Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking well right now - needs hours of air.
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10/29/2022 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine:
Bordeaux tasting with some Napa outsiders (The Embrace of Silence): Aromas of gentle red fruits but still stands firm, sliced cranberries and deep forest floor.
Flavors reflect on the nose with the addition of spiced fruits, oak and lifted minerals.
I might prefer this one compared to the younger sibling we had but that's due to the younger sibling leaving me a bit frustrated. Maybe I'm starting to like older wines, whad'ya know?
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10/29/2022 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
Wine: the Gathering Old World, Bordeaux (Château de Chris et Melissa): I was really excited to try this wine since I have a 16’ LLC in the cellar. At the time I tasted, I thought that this needed more time but by the end of the evening, this was showing well. A little funk on the nose and still fruit driven despite 26 years from vintage. Had alongside the 15 and preferred that over the 96. Reminded me of the 97' BV PR to be honest...
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10/29/2022 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Bordeaux and Beyond (The csimm_M Estate): Brought by the ever generous A_M as one of his 3 outstanding wines (the wagyu beef and caviar didn’t suck, either). On the nose and palate, moderate to light notes of black currants, cherries, cassis and mixed red fruit, dark florals, mixed spice and earthy minerality. Medium to deep ruby, medium bodied, thick legs. Medium+ acidity, medium tannins, well-integrated and fairly silky. VG complexity and persistence, good intensity. I know A_M said that this took some time to come to heel, but by the time he arrived at csimm’s, this was drinking with elegance and sophistication, with notable balance among its elegance. The ever so gentle Yin (12.5%) to the cacophonous Yang of the ringer ‘19 Maybach Materium also in A_M’s bag of tricks, this wine nails its spec and could be the illustration of what I think of a classic LB BDX. I’m not sure I had it with any of our culinary fair, but it has enough acidity on the one hand and gentleness on the other to work with most food, yet its balance makes it outstanding on its own. Held solidly during the several hours it was open making it likely it has many years of quality drinking ahead. Not what I’m in the mood for all the time, but really good stuff for when I would be. 95-96
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10/27/2022 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Mostly Bordeaux dinner (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner, VA): Expressive nose displaying concentrated cool black fruit, crème de cassis, crushed blackberry, cedar, lead pencil, a hint of luxurious oak and mineral. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of intense cassis fruit, silky, beautiful detail and balance, bright acidity, strong mineral, very fine tannins and a long intense cassis fruit driven finish with lead pencil at the end. This nicely expresses the classic 96 vintage and the clean cassis driven Chateau style. It remains very youthful which to be expected.
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10/7/2022 - Marc wrote: 95 Points
Pre-AWE Festival dinner (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand): Fascinating showing for this brilliant wine. It opened with a distinctly funky edge, not corky, but showing an earthy, iron ore quality that was initially off putting. All stern blackcurrants and structure, this wine feels like a throwback to traditional Bordeaux. 12.5% alcohol makes for a balanced mouthfeel that concentrates attention on the many dimensions of the wine without the overlay of excessive alcohol. Not the finest bottle of this, as the mid palate felt a little muted. A flawless bottle would certainly score higher. Ageing wonderfully, and at 26, this has at least another decade of positive evolution left…
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9/26/2022 - mchern02 wrote: 95 Points
3 hour decant
This is ripping with notes of dark black fruit, smoke, tobacco, cigar wrapper, menthol. Bright, large and dynamic with silky tannins and great verve. Long long finish, and continued to improve with time. Delicious and young!
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9/1/2022 - cordier88 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Needs 2 hours to open up but what a wine. Classic left bank Bordeaux. Opened with blackberry and graphite, then lots of cedar, menthol, eucalyptus especially after a couple of hours. A pure pleasure to drink
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8/31/2022 - dream Likes this wine: 95 Points
It needed 4 hours in a decanter and another hour in the glass to really open up. Full-bodied and quite structured with a gorgeous layer of graphite silkiness. Crisp and intense and still very youthful with a classic "graphite etched on stone" feel to it that is so fine. Finishes intense and complex with notes of minerals and more graphite. Yum with enough air and Lobel's lamb but otherwise should develop more complexity over the decade. Out of a particularly great magnum on Lake Tuscarora, NY. 95+
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8/27/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
From a mag. More of the powerful, structured, style. I know some people love this in their Bordeaux and this is always one of the ones that comes out in the super seconds but for me this is a good wine that's not 100% my style. A bit too almost harsh in notes. We had opened and decanted early and it is definitely well made. To be fair, I don't really get Latour/Lafite and this feels to me more of that style.
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8/20/2022 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Long Weekend Lake Michigan; 8/19/2022-8/22/2022 (Leelanau County, MI): Decanted about an hour prior. A classy yet stern Saint Julien. Impressively structured. Followed throughout a lengthy meal, it remained reserved - needing longer aeration.
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7/5/2022 - Mulvk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Some dried fruit and secondary characteristics. Very nice
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7/3/2022 - VINNICK Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic LLC. Drank over a 9 hour period and it just got better and more intence. Power precision elegance and concentration. This has it all. This is likely 5-10 years from reaching its peak and when it does, it will be incredible. If you consume now, decant at least 3-6 hours. This should age beautifully and provide enjoyment for many years to come. The wine is fresh the tannins soft, cassis graphite eucalyptus nail polish dominate the nose. I would say drink now if you have a case or wait a few years if you have few bottles. The tertiary flavors are still developing. Stunning wine.
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6/13/2022 - mchern02 wrote: 95 Points
2 hour decant - drank next to 96 Montrose
Classic, dark red fruit, cassis, graphite, and mint. Plenty of fresh acid, brightness, and sensual tannins, with a great finish. On a long plateau!
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5/20/2022 - HFLED Likes this wine: 94 Points
Black cherry, pipe tobacco, cedar. Plenty of taught acidity , still some tannins. Nice long finish. Getting there but not quite at peak. Could use another decade. Decanted 1.5 hours.
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5/13/2022 - SimonG wrote: 94 Points
Cool and classical. Cedar, blackcurrant. Density with restraint. Classical. ****1/2
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5/1/2022 - Cbailey501 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Stunning now, but years left. Cassis, dark plums, cedar and eucalyptus aromas. Lots of acid, polished tannins, lush mouthfeel with long dusty earth and leathery finish. No decant (restaurant didn't have clean one), but lingered in glasses for hours improving with each sip. I agree that it has years left, but it's incredible now. Would decant for several hours for optimum drinking experience.
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4/3/2022 - Philippe_C wrote:
Huge nose of mine de crayon, black cold fruit, cepes de Bordeaux… Loads of silky tannin, nice complex sapiness, great lenght of 45 sec, still 10-20 years of potential ahead, great great claret!!
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3/19/2022 - noblerot1 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted 5 hours & paired with a wagyu rib. Starts off at pour with varnish, leather, cedar, walnut. Like an old couch. Then comes the fruit: plums and some orange peel, maraschino, olives. Something new each hour. Needs more time. Perfect tannins. Finish for minutes.
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3/17/2022 - Romol Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted 3+ hours. It needed a lot of air and improved even more during the dinner. A very good Las cases. Still pretty young but it's worth to pop a bottle now. No hurry this has a long life ahead. 95 pts. at the moment.
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3/2/2022 - Mansavage Likes this wine: 96 Points
Served among a stellar selection of estates, Lynch Bages, Pontet Canet, Montrose, other Leovilles and excellent vintages. This was the unanimous favourite but all agreed it was far from ready, maybe another 10 years. Do not drink other bottles for a while.
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2/28/2022 - rossi.wine wrote: 96 Points
Consistent with previous notes. A little muted at first, but opening up beautifully with some time in the glass. Elegant, powerful, structured very intense. Super long. Drink or keep. 95-97
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1/24/2022 - jmoon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Enjoyable for sure, very old school classic, good fruit structure, tannins softening but still quite tight, prob still 7-10 years off peak incredibly, did well after a two hour decant. Next time I’ll try 5 hrs. No rush!
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12/31/2021 - mgbucci Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened early evening on NYE. Wonderful nose of what I find to be typical Pauillac notes - pencil shavings, tobacco and something floral that we couldn't identify. On the palate, this was initially tight and restrained but after a few hours of air, it opened into an excellent old bdx. 95.
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12/29/2021 - jmoon wrote: 91 Points
Decent but unspectacular given the producer and vintage.
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12/14/2021 - Euoinos wrote: 98 Points
This is not at its peak yet and does require a lot of air to open up. But when it does. Wow. This is close to a perfect wine. Nose with tobacco, pencil shavings and violets. Super elegant dark fruit with perfectly balanced acidity. Tannins still present but not intrusive. Give this five years and then it will be perfectly balanced. This really is the definition of a regal wine and a very classic Bordeaux.
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12/13/2021 - Paul D wrote: 96 Points
At Hawksmoor Bordeaux Dinner. Deep ruby, pale ruby rim. Lovely aromatic nose, pure, noble blackcurrant fruit, cedar, touch of menthol, smoky mineral. Medium bodied, that lovely pure, dark fruit again, cedar, spice and smoky mineral, firm but fine tannins, fresh acidity, long finish. Outstanding - drinking now for me but years to go of course.
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12/13/2021 - SimonG wrote: 95 Points
Christmas Claret: Deeper, denser nose. Lovely blackcurrant fruit with a Vicks menthol top note. This is classic and vital, deep long and with a lovely line. Super now, but in a decade or so… *****
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11/27/2021 - englishman's claret wrote: 96 Points
The 1996 Léoville las Cases is an intriguing wine, suggesting nascent greatness rather than realizing it today. Following it closely for 6 hours reveals two distinct phases; the first reasonably articulate on the nose, brimming with things classically St Julien - a perfectly ripe rendition of blackcurrant, cedar, pencil - alongside warm chestnuts, mineral, and a tapenade-like umami note. But at the outset, the palate is locked down tight, mute and forbiddingly tannic. The second phase, beginning after 3 hours of air, is characterized by a curious metamorphosis, becoming less complex but far more intense, unleashing oodles of ripe, beguiling fruit, ink, and subtle lavender potpourri. When the 96 LLC finally synthesizes these two alter egos, it will likely be a remarkable wine. I would be inclined to hold further bottles for 5-10 years if the goal is to catch this at full maturity.
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11/19/2021 - VoteferPedro Likes this wine: 97 Points
Two hours in decanter
This was all that Jeff Leve points out - A truly complete wine experience It stands squarely in Bordeaux in terms of the cedar or camphor and earth aromas and carries the cool minerality I love about St Julien.
This was enjoyed just after a delicious '96 Mission HB and there is a greater depth of fruit and structure and length.
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11/10/2021 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
If you are seeking a vintage of Leoville Las Cases for current consumption, look no further. Full-bodied, concentrated, long, deep, and intense, the tannins are firm but soft, the fruit is perfectly ripe, and close to seamless finish must last at least 50 seconds or more. An hour in the decanter, or perhaps up to 2 hours kicks this stunner into high gear.
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11/8/2021 - peternelson Likes this wine: 91 Points
Chocolate, oaky, fuller, red fruits, plum, fine mouthfeel, nice grippy sort of austere finish. Thought it was right bank. I missed most of my left-right bank calls. Very difficult in this line-up. DD Bordeaux 1989-2000 Lawson's Steakhouse
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11/5/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:
Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): (from Mag) Fruit mostly faded but nicely integrated with pleasing tannins, earth, spice and leather. Still drinks quite young. Opened a bit with air.
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11/5/2021 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Charleston VI; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Charleston, SC (various locations)): Also more on the austere side but I picked the wines I expected to be that way for my early tastes. Darker red currant, some more bark style. Very young. From a magnum. Drinking well though.
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11/3/2021 - fcxj wrote: 90 Points
Quaffable.
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10/11/2021 - wine&roses Likes this wine: 96 Points
Almost perfect.
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9/25/2021 - soyhead wrote:
nose - wet hay
mouth - lush, complex berry fruit, tutti frutti, still amazingly fresh at age 25. As some pointed out it lacks intensity of other Bordeaux we have had. Perhaps, but it makes up for it in elegance. Often I find LLC, even with age, somewhat unapproachable, but today the '96 is prime in its drinking window.
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9/18/2021 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 96 Points
An hour of air kicks this beauty into gear. So classic and unmistakeable top left bank. Pencil shavings, Cuban cigar, sous bois, fine cedar wood, blueberrry and cranberry on the nose and the palate with good acidity and crunch following through with sappy cranberry, dark chocolate, superb voluminous mid palate filling out with generous (! Never thought I would use that word in context of 96 Bdx) sweet red fruits. It’s hanging at high 96 consistently for the last few year but seems to be just getting better based on my experience and is now a solid 96-97 for me. If it adds more dinensionality it could become epic indeed. Last of a six pack and glad I repurchased a twelve pack of this as I would hate to be without it on the cellar for the coming decade(s). Stock up folks. Real deal and most certainly first growth quality here!
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9/12/2021 - dream Likes this wine: 95 Points
Needed a 3+ hour decant and then showed quite beautifully with a steely backbone and great depth of black fruit flavors. A rather masculine wine with excellent intensity and power and despite the big tannins, the finish gives way just enough to reveal a layered St. Julien complexity that is compelling. A wine with a fabulous future. 95+
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9/10/2021 - Myownscale wrote: 92 Points
Nose:
wood, vanilla, dark fruit, barn, veggie
Palate:
dark fruits, cherry, currant, wood, leather, funk, long finish, vanilla
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8/25/2021 - Ozen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Leoville Las Cases is my favourite Saint Julien and candidate for premier cru.
Drinking this next to the Leoville Barton 2003 which surprised with a wonderful rich palette.
But, the Las Cases is its superior with an impressive, wonderfully aristocratic kingly depth and complexity that is a true aristocrat. The only downside is a very slightly drying finish.
The trick with LLC is plenty of airing before tasting, and this one even better the next day (with cork in the bottle). LLC is a royal wine. The 1996 slightly more masculine than usual, but truly grand vin! Perfectly balanced with a long harmonious finish.
This is ready to start drinking but at the same time has years of development ahead for even more depth.
To compare: the 1990 is more spectacular, while the 1998 is lovely and more fully mature now.
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8/18/2021 - BradE wrote:
Decanted for four hours, and it both needed it and rewarded it. Soft, sensual, and utterly joyful.
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5/23/2021 - Burglover13 wrote: 93 Points
First two bottles of a case. Good news, no bottle variation. Decanted for 2 hours. The wine is still developing. I will try to keep my hands off these for another 5 years before trying again. One day it will be a great bottle with 94-95 point potential and will certainly outlive me.
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5/22/2021 - GA Old World Guy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tight as a tick…need more time in bottle. Very strong and abrasive. I think it needs another 10 years to shed some of the aggressive nature it has…but I could be wrong.
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5/20/2021 - kr522 wrote: 94 Points
my first time trying this, drank exquisitely. my fear was it could be brawny but the tannins were very well behaved enabling the fine level of detail and energy to show through....in that way it reminded me of the 86, though perhaps less concentrated
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5/16/2021 - Everything Ahead wrote: 92 Points
Was going to hold this for another 10 years or so but noticed a slightly concerning leaky cork (which ended up being fine) ... A feminine, soft and elegant, plum-filled bordeaux that is mid-weight and yet not as complex as I had hoped for. Still, a pleasure to smell and taste. If you have any left, give them another 5-10 years I would say for more complexity (hopefully) to develop. As I sipped it, I reflected on how Bordeaux from the 90s overall seems a bit of a different beast than current-day vintages, which speaks to climate change as much as anything I imagine
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5/14/2021 - King Julien wrote: 96 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Nice but subtle nose, excellent well-integrated palate. Enjoyed over 2 hours following.
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5/14/2021 - Mjladha Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit subdued
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4/25/2021 - JHH51 Likes this wine: 94 Points
1 plus hour decant, paired with 2000 Rauzan Segla. This Leoville’s vibrancy was apparent from the opening, as notes of black currant wafted up while decanting. Medium body with deep layers of flavor. I thought the finish weakened toward the end of the night but overall this is an excellent showing.
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3/24/2021 - Doubleten Likes this wine: 97 Points
10 hr follow up. Wine was kept in the decanter, refrigerated. Couldn't let that last glass go to waste. Drank at about 60 degrees. Not much aroma remains at this point. However, the wine has increased in balance and is surprisingly fresh. While this is not lacking fruit, the 1996 Opus it was compared against has a slightly more forward presentation. Further age will enrich the LLC with tertiary flavors, which I anticipate may merit an additional point or two. Great bottle of wine!
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3/23/2021 - Doubleten Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decided to organize our version of "The Judgement of Paris" on the occasion of my son's 25th birthday. Tonight's contenders were the 1996 Opus One vs 1996 Leoville Las Cases.
I decanted the Opus for 1 hr and the LLC for 2hrs prior to the initial tasting. Both wines had very little sediment. It is interesting to note the clear differences between corks. While the LLC's cork was intact, the Opus was clearly in decay and not well sealed. One would therefore expect the Opus to be further evolved and more oxidized even though both exhibited ideal ullage.
The wines were followed through the night, a process which is still continuing. Right off the bat the Opus seemed past peak. It displayed a mellowed reddish color, giving off some musty aromas and predominantly red fruit characteristics. In contrast, the LLC was dark purple showing no signs of aging, and had a more restrained blue fruit profile, with camphor like aromas emerging after 30 minutes.
It was a race between the two all night long, with the Opus taking an early lead, followed by the LLC as it opened up, followed by the Opus as its fruit came through strongly.
After 5 hrs, both wines started falling apart in the glass at room temperature and the fruit began receding. Based on tonight's experience, I would decant the Opus for 2 hrs and the LLC 3 hrs.
The Opus has reached it peak and should be drunk now. It offers an appealing combination of Napa style fruit with Bordeaux like tertiary flavors. The LLC should be in its prime drinking stage in 3-5 yrs. It is a cooler, more formal and aristocratic wine. Although different, they were both evenly matched to the point where it was difficult to pick a winner. Tonight, the Opus was the sprinter, while the LLC was the marathon runner. Our version of the Judgement of Paris ended up in a draw. The Opus One will start going downhill from this point, while the LLC will continue to evolve.
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3/21/2021 - vinhslee wrote: 90 Points
Generous dark fruits and cedar notes. Silky tannins. Very well made and correct. A tad too young to be drunk now, better revisit in 10 years.
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3/12/2021 - eb1202 Likes this wine: 95 Points
spices, tobacco and black fruit on the nose
On the palate very silky and great density and intensity. Dark berries, tobacco, very juicy, fine tannins
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2/28/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 97 Points
At just approaching its quarter of a century, this is finally flourishing and and living up to its reviews on release. For a Las Cases it is remarkably forward, but it is only in the last 12 months has the transformation from a decent to an exceptional wine taken place. From a personal point of view I think this nudging ahead of the phenomenal 1986, and obviously with further development ahead. The nose is a little youthful and packed full of ripe blackcurrant and plum with cedar notes, but is decadently opulent, and very uncharacteristic of the estate. However, on the palate and finish it is showing a maturity. It is magnificent: seamless in its delivery, with layers of complexity and a finish that merits an almost perfect score with incredible depth and a perfect balance balance and 60+ seconds. On previous tastings I always thought RP had misjudged this, but boy was he spot on! Do decant for a good few hours at this stage. This could possibly become a 100 pointer in the future.
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2/3/2021 - Ralf Jung wrote: 94 Points
Was worse than expected. Already slightly brown though the bottle was ok. Cork was difficult to resd and all wet.
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1/24/2021 - Benoit Hardy Likes this wine: 95 Points
the nose will never stop evolving: tea, coffee, spices, tobacco, a very precise light oak, black fruit ...
The palate is full with a silky attack. The material takes possession of the palate by completely loosening itself with great intensity. The fruit dominates in the mouth with tobacco. The tannins are delicate, the whole wrapped in a very fine balance, it is spherical and full at the same time, just the right amount of tension to give life to a dense juice. A finish as intense as it is long, very spicy where the wine gives the impression of unparalleled thickness.
Excellent
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1/9/2021 - jmoon Likes this wine: 92 Points
4 hour slow decant. Incredible nose, classic, layered dark fruits and herbs.
Lovely palette but very classic and no fireworks.
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12/29/2020 - Sean Tay wrote: 91 Points
Had a 1990s blind tasting Bordeaux theme. Key observation was that despite different individual palate, drinking experiences and how food will impair/change the wines, like previous tasting together; the WOTN and the least preferred is always the most distinctive and obvious. Leaving the rest to individual taste. Also, based on RP vintage chart, 1996 is extraordinary vintage; 96 pointer with remarks of still tannic, youthful or slow to mature. Sometime, off vintage might be a better choice for its readiness and price point.
Bottle 1: 1994 Chateau Latour
Medium garnet in colour, tight nose with grippy tannin. Nose of red/black fruits, oak, toast. Medium+ acidity and high tannin. Decanted for 1 hour. Poor vintage for Bordeaux and show that even in poor vintage, the winemaker still can blend and produce good wine. Will not improve and should drink up to enjoy.
Bottle 2: 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
Medium garnet in colour, savoury, mushroom, wet forest, red/black fruits, toast, oak, toast. Silky in the palate. Could guess it’s most probably early 90s. Very enjoyable. Did not decant. My thought aftermath was should drink up and will not improve.
Bottle 3: 1996 Chateau d’Estournel
The taste is way better than the nose. Infact felt that the nose was rather closed. On the palate, its mellow, smooth and elegant. Blackcurrant, black fruits, with some toast notes. It lost out due to the nose. Decanted for 1 hour. Previously when tasting d’Estournel I remember always tasting smoky, toast, oaky notes. Should drink up now, in its drinking window.
Bottle 4: 1993 Chateau Angelus
Deep garnet in colour. Nose is pronounced of all. Savoury, wet forest, black fruits, oak, toast. Medium+ acidity and high tannin. Though high tannin, it is resolved and smooth in the palate. Double decanting for approximately 1 hour. Another poor vintage but performing at its peak. Surprisingly, based on the notes, it can still probably improve and can be kept easily 5-10 years.
Bottle 5: 1996 Leoville Las Cases
Deep garnet in colour. Nose is restrained. More red fruits than black fruits. High tannin and acidity. Very grippy tannin. Slow ox for 2 hours. Personally felt that Las Cases should be showing better than this. Should benefit if it’s decant longer. I felt that it’s in the early drinking window and will improve with more cellar time.
Bottle 6: 1996 Pichon Baron
Deep garnet in colour. Nose is poorest compare to all. Full of green, mint, pepper, some slight tints of black fruits. High acidity and tannin. It did not perform well despite a good vintage and wine producer. Probably due to not decanting ahead. Will definitely improve with decanting and cellar time.
Bottle 7: 1996 Carrudes de Lafite
Deep garnet in colour. Pronounced notes of red/black fruits, savoury notes.
High tannin and acidity. Tannin is smooth in the palate. Did not decant. Drinking very well and will improve with 1-2 hours of decanting. In its optimum drinking window and also will benefit with cellar time.
My blinded choice:
1) 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
2) 1996 Chateau d’Estournel
3) 1993 Chateau Angelus
4) 1996 Carrudes de Lafite
5) 1994 Chateau Latour
6) 1996 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
7) 1996 Pichon Baron
The WOTN as per average consensus:
1) 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, followed by
2) 1993 Chateau Angelus
3) 1996 Chateau d'Estournel
4) 1996 Carruades de Lafitte
5) 1996 Leoville Las Cases
6) 1994 Chateau Latour and lastly
7) 1996 Pichon Baron
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12/28/2020 - WKC Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened on Xmas night 4-5 hours ahead of dinner. Strong aromatics of pencil shavings, graphite and lead. Evolved slowly over the evening and put the other half away until 2 days later over lunch when it became a different animal and lived up to the hype. Tannins resolved and was very smooth and long aftertaste. Went superbly with the Australian ribeye. Maybe needs some more time but hear there is a lot of bottle variation unless bought ex-chateau which this was not.
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12/12/2020 - baxter67 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Last tasted 5 years ago when I felt it needed a few more years. Now in its drinking window. Gave it 2 hours after decant as advised by the exceptionally detailed LLC website. It really got into its stride after 3 hours. Black fruit predominates on the palate, which is seamless with tannins fully absorbed. There is a dichotomy here. On the one hand the fruit seems if anything over-ripe, but there is also structure, complexity, power, finesse but with precision. Wow! ****(**)
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11/27/2020 - Orso58 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Red Colour, not showing much maturity
Very tobacco and cedar on the nose, with some cabernet fruit aromas underneath.
Smooth tannins with some grip, very good concentration with excellent length and freshness in the finish.
One of my best BX-bottles from the 90s, really like this vintage and this chateau
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11/22/2020 - Jammy Wine wrote: 90 Points
Being Burgundy focused since the beginning of my wine journey, admittedly I have not paid enough attention to Bordeaux. Drinking this 1996 Leoville Las Cases prompted me to exploring more Bordeaux. Many 96s are showing superbly today. Sweet blackcurrant, cedar, inky rich dark fruits, pencil shavings and lavish oak treatment. Classic Bordeaux in style yet luscious and inviting. Full bodied with superb density and rich nuances. Well layered silky tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon driven? La Missoon Haut Brion? 2001? (90/100)
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10/10/2020 - Zweder wrote: 98 Points
Bordeaux 1996 Left bank versus 1998 Right bank (more or less) (By SK In Vught Aan het Fornuis): Beautiful bouquet which shows some barnyard but is for the rest quite locked. On the palate a classical wine with dark and red berries, graphite and a lot of bell pepper. The luxurious elements are still quite hidden. This is in fact still a baby and it might need another 15 – 20 years of ageing before it shows all of its merits. Great wine! 97 – 98+
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10/7/2020 - Capt Cutlass Likes this wine: 91 Points
No formal notes taken. Some bricking but still good depth of color considering the age. Elegant as you would expect from top drawer GCC. Perhaps the palate is a bit subdued and thinning out - structure a tad skeletal. I would have preferred less leather and more fruit but lovely finesse here all the same...
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9/26/2020 - Thoughtful Likes this wine: 96 Points
Stored in cold cellar since release. Cork broke! Lovely bouquet and deep colour. Classic. Tannins seem fully resolved though maybe just sweet? Depth and length. Perfect St Julian. Many years ahead.
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9/12/2020 - PDiddyWine wrote: 98 Points
Absolutely outstanding. Better after 2-3 hours open. Round edges, plenty of depth.
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9/12/2020 - Malarky997 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Spectacular
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9/11/2020 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 96 Points
Another wonderful bottle of this. Confirming last year's experience. Day one decanted for an hour it showed a bit Pauillac like with pencil shavings and a very firm precise Cabernet Sauvignon structure. Extremely glassy and comparing it with Mouton 96 I enjoyed very recently not a lesser wine, it is possibly a tiny notch better. Day two the remaining half bottle that I kept was in a gorgeous spot. The wine had sweetened up, gotten rounder and more voluptuous showing more "soft" St Julian then. Worth pointing out that this wine has 12.5 pct alcohol only which is great in my view. Superb showing here and reminds me why I like Bordeaux. Not a cheap wine but for the quality, the fact it is getting firmly into its drinking window, a relative bargain for (very) fine wine...
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8/6/2020 - bobvictor wrote: 97 Points
Drank at Cloudland Farms out of a 375. Just about perfect bottle of Bordeaux. Could find no fault just lacked some sort of magic that would take it to the highest level.
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7/12/2020 - spendergast Likes this wine: 100 Points
This wine continues to drink beautifully - it''s one of my all time favorites and didn't disappoint tonight. Decanted 2 hours and paired with grilled marinated antelope chops with a mustard shallot sauce - a wonderful pairing. The wine is highly concentrated with notes of cassis, black raspberry, minerals, hint of spice with beautifully integrated tannins and long, long finish. A magnificent wine.
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7/4/2020 - Collector1855 wrote: 95 Points
Excellently kept bottle with good fill. After 25 years this is now in the drinking window. The wine is aromatically very convincing with complex Medoc nose of forest floor, dark fruit and tertiary notes. On the lean side though in its mid mouth presence, preventing a higher score. Old fashioned, impressive effort what it is but was edged out by the Montrose 2000 side by side.
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6/7/2020 - axz055 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Right out of the bottle: Aromas of cedar, blackberry, and some earth. Softened tannins, dark fruit, spice, and some leathery tertiary notes on the palate. Spice ramps up in the long finish.
After a few hours to open up, the fruit is much more noticeable on the nose. More acidity and earthy/tar notes on the palate, well balanced with fruit, spice, and tannin.
Excellent concentrated flavors, medium body, long finish.
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5/30/2020 - rm97 wrote: 92 Points
Was expecting more. Even after 4 hour decant it is still tightly wound with tannins dominating the fruit.had with Beef Wellington and it was shown up by other wines.
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5/14/2020 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is definitely ready to start drinking with decent time in the decanter, but I do find everything a little restrained. Admittedly it has development ahead of it, but I'm not sure if further aging will add more complexity, and it certainly doesn't live up to its initial expectations. However, it is an excellent wine, and very typical of the estate. Blackcurrant and cedar are prominent with a big tannic backbone on the palate. It is perfectly balanced and with a harmonious finish pushing 50 seconds. It is a great example of an old fashioned Bordeaux, but it is understated in its delivery.
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4/9/2020 - KoalaHK wrote:
Drunk at the Mandarin Grill Hong Kong - Described as Dickensian by my colleague which I think was apt. Great expectations to begin given its Second Growth status and a marquee Left Bank vintage. A little austere initially but with time in the glass it reveals a complex personality. Whilst it is a relatively young wine (it has many years ahead of it) it exudes a stylistic old-fashiondness. It doesn't quite have the length of Bleak House but it definitely has a more pleasant finish.
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3/14/2020 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great taste off with a ‘95 Ducru B and 96 Las Cases. The DB drinking better of the two, and maybe just more in its apogee. The Ducru was beautiful on the nose, raspberry and tar notes. So smooth, lots of lingering fruit. Terrific. The Las Cases’ nose “darker”, more plum and darker fruit notes. Similar palate. Also drinking well, I think I just enjoyed the Ducru slightly more. More upfront fruit. 95-94 in OT?
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2/19/2020 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 94 Points
A nice comparison to the '95 and '96 Moutons tonight. Darker and stronger although less nuanced, less detailed, and generally less ready to drink. Softening up just a little but (in terms of Las Cases) and technically strong. Cassis and blackberry.
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2/8/2020 - dbenglis Likes this wine: 94 Points
I had again and will hold off for a bit.
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2/7/2020 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Acker 200; 2/7/2020-2/8/2020 (The Pool & Cipriani): From a 5L which does go to show the difference in aging. The last bottle of this I had I thought was in a pretty good place. This was an absolute infant. Bit of a tangy style, lots of twigs and leaves and more earthy in nature. On the whole a bit closed down. Would have needed a good decant or time in the glass and unfortunately didn't get either.
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2/7/2020 - dbenglis Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is a great energetic wine and has much life. Black fruit, currant, mushroom.
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1/24/2020 - Coastalnative Likes this wine: 94 Points
Absolutely beautiful nose of crushed flowers, charcoal, light tobacco and earth. Very true to form and still very young. Tannic and tight, this could have used a decant for sure but it was lovely nonetheless. A big wine with lots of stuffing. I would not hesitate to let this age another decade because it still might be a bit too young.
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1/1/2020 - LB88 wrote: 94 Points
Opened 5 hours before drinking. Delicate beautiful flavors and long on palate. Can keep for few more years but just starting to enter long drinking window
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12/31/2019 - felixman wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for an hour. Wine is open for business. Still very fresh. In a good drinking window. Beautiful purple color with light bricking on the edges. On the palate, I tasted dark fruits (blackberries, blueberries, and currant) with mushrooms and mineral undertones. Medium body with a silky texture with a lovely long finish.
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12/21/2019 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
Still very high end cab, with lots going on in terms of balance and complexity. This was good to drink over a couple nights. Still some upside. Wish I knew what I paid for this on release.
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12/17/2019 - Lma1969 wrote: 94 Points
Medium garnet with tinge of rust. Nose was was cassis, dark fruit, cigar box, some minerality. Very smooth, very much the feel of an aged Bordeaux. Well into its drinking window. Finish was a bit acidic at first but given a chance to breathe that disappeared entirely. Finish was long.
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12/10/2019 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 93 Points
Perhaps conservative. Red fruit but a little withholding on the nose. Very rich intense vibrant palate, great balance, still a lot of tannin. Great, next bottle in 5+ years.
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12/10/2019 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Dinner with the wine group (Zazie, SF): Double decanted 8 hours prior to dinner. Deep ruby, still youthful color; aromatic, blackcurrant, slight tea leaves, slight tobacco, some capsicum; palate is full bodied, tannins still present but approachable, medium-plus fresh acidity throughout, good remaining black fruits for its age, a touch of bell pepper, not a ton of secondary or tertiary complexity yet; finish is medium-plus length and quite clean/precise with a bit of minerality. Right now this seems like a youthful but approachable classically made bordeaux, still with good fruit but not a ton of mature complexity. Nose>palate right now. I'm hoping this will fill out a bit with some air, but it's still a nice bordeaux now. 92-93
Really needs at least 7-10 years more age to develop more.
Day 2: Shows a bit more fine complexity on the nose, a bit more polish and smoothness on the palate as the tannins have integrated more, and overall doesn't really show any significant oxidation that I might expect with so much air. This definitely has a lot of time left before my next bottle.
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12/9/2019 - alanr wrote: 94 Points
Some nice dark fruit on the nose, hints of shaved pencil; then beautiful deep fruit, there is richness but it's controlled, even elegant for it's depth and intensity, tannins are there but in the background, the wine is driven more by its acidity. Delicious now, but still very young with many years ahead of it.
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12/8/2019 - Kevnzworld wrote: 95 Points
1 hour decant
Good fruit with umami ..good balance without sharp edges.
Deep flavors and in the zone
Enjoyable.
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12/2/2019 - vvWine.ch Likes this wine: 97 Points
1996, Château Léoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, Frankreich. Mittleres Rubin, Reifetöne. Was für eine Nase, zum Eintauchen, zum Meditieren, so kann Bordeaux riechen, Kirschen, Kräuter, Tee, Kaffee, Zedernholz, Süssholz, wow. Im Gaumen weich und zugänglich, auf dem Peak, feinste Tannine, sehr gute Struktur, kraftvoll, mit Druck und dennoch hochelegant, das ist Bordeaux auf sehr hohem Niveau. Im Abgang wunderbar lang und enorm ausgewogen. Das habe ich geschluckt statt gespuckt. Jetzt bis 2030. 19.5 vvPunkte (97/100). vvWine.ch
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11/21/2019 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 97 Points
Popped an poured. It has an opaque ruby color fainting uniformly towards the rim with a reflective edge. The nose is very dense and youthful even at 23 years of age showing sharp, sweet, fragrant currants, plum sauce, tar and incense. On the intake, the palate displays a full body that was once densely-packed, but has begun the process of graceful aging as it unravels smoky flavors of black cherry, black olives, meat, iodine, tobacco, espresso, scorched Saint-Julien earth, gravel and pencil shavings. This is a beautifully integrated wine that weaves through the palate with such vibrant acidity that it makes for a well-balanced, refreshing experience. Finishes long with a lingering mentholated sensation of dried herbs and charcoal. Outstanding! This has a long life ahead. Drink now until 2041. 97+
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11/19/2019 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine: 100 Points
Mahogany. Aged bouquet with manure and iodine. Young characteristics in the background especially blackcurrant. Beautifully balanced. Firm tannin. Quiet personality.
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11/16/2019 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Subtle and pure on the nose. Concentrated cherry, cassis, black fruit, a bit of baking spice and a fresh earthy quality.
Silky on the palate. Tannins are well integrated, showing light grip at this point. Acidity is moderate and the fruit is powerful.
This is delicious right now. Likely has a long life ahead and will just get silkier as time goes on.
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11/13/2019 - Lype Likes this wine:
Still very young and tight, a strong vintage in St Julien and for this wine, very promising, a future superstar but patience will be required.
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11/11/2019 - shaferguy91 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Beautiful wine.
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10/12/2019 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and poured. Dark ruby, Nose of cedar and black fruits. Was not decanted and took about 30 minutes to open. Drinking well but the tannins are present and the wine will still benefit from a few years of aging.
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9/1/2019 - jpwines Likes this wine: 96 Points
Terrific wine. Dark-almost black color--no bricking. Long Finish Dark fruits, mineral, leather, everything you want is a great wine
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8/19/2019 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for about 5 hours, and this bottle was still drinking super young. Dark black fruit, well balanced, tannins are fine but somewhat prominent.
Needs years. Next bottle 2024+
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8/15/2019 - havana4 🍾🍇 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Beautiful dark ripe black fruit and graphite on nose. Beautiful. Acidity still near perfect. Tannins soft and very perfectly integrated. The balance for me is amazing.
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8/2/2019 - liber Likes this wine: 96 Points
6th of 24, decanted 80 minutes, perfect cork and level, as bottle noted in April, although already attractive and showing class, a very long way from maturity. At least VF (18.5).
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8/2/2019 - felixman Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted. Wine was closed for the initial 30 mins and started to gradually come alive. Was singing about an hour in. Great balance with long silky finish. Starting to show some secondary development.
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6/19/2019 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 2 hours (but a small sip taken at popping the cork was immediately enjoyable to my surprise). The wine was fairly mellow after the decant for my expectation of LLC and 1996. I find some 1996s Medoc almost too structured but not here. The wine was "relaxed", fully open for business - 12.5% alcohol only which I love - no heat, no shouting, just sheer class in a glass. Based on this I am going to be drinking my bottles over the next 5 years (and before my 1990s weirdly). But maybe this was just a bit more developed bottle then is usual. It sure was a clean and lovely bottle. I do like LLC for its consistency and it does punch at First Growth levels in my opinion.
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4/20/2019 - liber Likes this wine: 96 Points
5th of 24, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, little changed from last September's bottle, taking a long time to hit maturity, even for LLC, the 98 the better drink on the night, though the 96 is clearly the superior wine! VF (18.5) with scope for more.
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4/12/2019 - mchern02 wrote: 95 Points
Legit but still mighty young; quality shows through in all areas of wine.
3 hour decant
Dark red fruit on nose but wound up a bit still, glycerin, violet, smoke and lead.
Powerful, fantastic backbone with fruit shining through but great acidity and lift. Could taste this wine for a long time.
Excellent tannins with fantastic length. Not fully resolved but definitely balanced and delicious; no dryness just still youthful.
Great
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4/2/2019 - Taronti wrote: 93 Points
Nice deep red. Nose of dark fruits, graphite, cedar and mint. Clean body with firm tannins and long finish. Needs a couple of hours to air. Maybe a bit young still!
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3/20/2019 - SommWineGuy Likes this wine: 97 Points
Medium ruby, medium width rim, powerful, developing, red currant, cherry compote, mushroom, bark, cellar dirt, penicillin, dried cedar, saline, very pretty, dried floral, meaty, earthy. Medium plus acid, medium body, medium alcohol, medium plus tannin, high level of complexity, long long finish, balanced, lean, yet structured. Drinking incredibly well now and should improve more over the next 10+ years.
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3/5/2019 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 93 Points
On the nose there is lead pencil, damp forest floor, and heaps of purple cassis and glycerin. Slight development around the edges, but for the most part brooding and intense. Some finessed details hanging about the nose, but I always find this house to be the biggest blockbuster on the Left Bank.
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2/17/2019 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is open for business if decanted for a lengthy time, (8 hours this time out, ) and starting to display secondary characteristics. The nose is a little restrained, but deep with dark berry fruits and cedar. With some time in the glass, the palate is developed and multi layered with great depth. The finish is 30 seconds plus and well balanced. I am very against drinking wine too early, but I have no problem with starting to enjoy this on an annual basis.
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1/2/2019 - ricemanhk Likes this wine:
Still dark ruby red. Nose is somewhat muted at first, but dried red fruits and dried white flowers come out with air. Medium full body, somewhat rich flavor which I don't notice with LLC before, perhaps the higher cab franc? Tannins at first don't show but comes out in force after time in glass. Medium finish that improves also with time.
Bottom line this just seems still way too early to approach...
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12/24/2018 - spendergast Likes this wine: 98 Points
This wine continues to shine with concentrated dark fruit, hint of cedar with soft tannins, long finish.
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12/11/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Acker BYO 2018 (Tribeca Grille): This was just in a great spot. Very much open for business. Lots of black fruits and hints of pepper and just a touch of more green notes (but in a good way). It was really nice.
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11/23/2018 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 2-3 hours. Interesting nose of dark fruit, green pepper, rich dark palate that opened to lots of cassis and long peppery finish. Highly enjoyable but next bottle can wait a few years. At least.
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11/16/2018 - rgawlowski Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still young, but already great balance. A bit oaky, medium nose, great finish. Excellent.
10/22 - ripe; excellent; wonderful finish.
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9/17/2018 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
Still an infant, but with so much promise! Purple ruby core with no signs of age; still rather primary on the bouquet, with notes of cassis, black currants, and spice box. Medium bodied, with good structure, ripe but firm tannin, and a classic finish. I think this needs another 10 year to really show its stuff!
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9/1/2018 - liber Likes this wine: 96 Points
4th of 24, decanted 5 hours, perfect cork and level, all the attributes for one of the finest vintages of LLC and technically it may merit a higher score, but it is hard work and needs a great deal of coaxing, much more backward than previous nights Ducru and VCC 96 and these wines weren't really ready! At least VF (18.5)…….I suspect we're 20 years away from the prime drinking window and with scope to develop further for years thereafter!
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9/1/2018 - Miceri Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still “young”. Has everything going for it. Lots of potential just waiting to unfold - probably several years from now. Currently, very enjoyable with all the right stuff and weight and with the feeling that there is more to come
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7/5/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 7 hours after reading other notes, and it still needed time in the glass to start showing its true class. I must admit to being underwhelmed at my previous 2 tastings, but it has started to come alive. Packed full of dark berry and cedar, the nose is restrained, but on the palate the wine is wonderful and the finish is out of this world nudging 60 seconds. The tannin is evolved, but still is a little distracting,. Another few years could see this wine competing with the 1982 and 1986. 96+
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7/4/2018 - BradE wrote:
Absolutely delightful. Needs air as others have indicated, but ready to start drinking.
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6/22/2018 - GA Old World Guy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great wine. Tannins have begun to resolve. Loads of dark red fruit. Needs a few hours to decant. This wine will really be something in about five years
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6/17/2018 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby, nose of cedar and forest floor. Excellent now with a one hour decant but it may still be evolving. Was clearly better than a 1995 Chateau Latour served at the same time.
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6/6/2018 - OenoEd Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely nose, a field of wild lavender after a heavy rain, some anise and violets too. Exotic asian and ginger spices, perfectly bitter finish, a really sexy wine, ready to drink, but with an easy ten years of life.
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6/1/2018 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
While still a pup, this wine was drinking beautifully with more red fruit than black and sweet tannin with a long feminine finish. This is a very complete wine that has balance and finesse. Decanted for 1-2 hours. Early maturity window, but will benefit for another 5-8 years in bottle to take on more tertiary notes.
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5/12/2018 - la turque wrote: 95 Points
Slow-ox’ed for several hours and then decanted off the sediment for an hour. This is in its sweet spot. Huge nose of black fruits, cedar, exotic spices. Perfect fruit/acid/tannin balance. Drink now with a good decant.
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5/8/2018 - RayOB wrote: 92 Points
Drank at BBR
It has opened up a little more but still very backward. Try again in another five years.
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5/7/2018 - shaferguy91 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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4/21/2018 - Ramielsh wrote:
Dark fruit. Slight tannic Finnish. Still has a few years to go.
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2/25/2018 - Lipsman wrote: 91 Points
Subdued flavors, past the fruit dominated phase of just a few years ago. Leather, dark fruits, cherry, balanced and a bit underwhelming. Quite good though if you have an English palate and enjoy elderly clarets. Given a two hour decant. Two bottles sampled over four hours
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1/25/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
If you have 4 hours of decanting time available, this is a stunning bottle of LLC. It's rich, concentrated, mouth filling, long, intense and packed with character. The wine is powerful, yet not over overwhelming. The fruit is ripe, and tannins and polished, but firm. This finish must last close to 50 seconds. With another decade, this could easily hit 100 Pts.
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1/23/2018 - ricknat1 wrote:
This was a vertical tasting over dinner. I love Las Cases and fell its a tremendous value that in the best years approaches Grand Crus but is generally excellent and enjoyable. all of these wines fit the bill from the the sublime 82 and 90 downward. My ranking was as follows
82
90
86
89
83
96
85
95
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1/13/2018 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Hitting the right spot during this period. Very similar to the 2002 I just had. Such a big fan of these wines and will continue to buy more. Dust, earth, pencil, long finish. Just a winner of a wine.
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1/8/2018 - brianakrin wrote: 92 Points
Good nose, Structured, full bodied, minerally, sharp, no real secondary flavors, not worth the wait.
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1/8/2018 - ocwineo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Deep ruby color mild tannins but plenty of life to go on for many years tabbaco and chocolate on the palate
A well balanced wonderful Bordeaux
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12/24/2017 - HENNO1 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drunk alongside a Latour 95 and 96 and the las cases won. More depth than the 95 and more approachable than the 96 Latour. Flipping lovely. No rush to drink this as it has years to go. I only have one bottle left and will treasure it for as long as I can. In my experience wine doesn't get much better than this - lovely
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12/8/2017 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
Really good drinking from high quality producer in good vintage. Still lots of upside too.
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11/7/2017 - Papies wrote: 96 Points
Chateau Leoville Las Cases Vertical with James Handford MW (Handford Wines, London): WOTN albeit between us we were split between this and the 1990.
Very classic, textbook great Bordeaux, beautiful soft dark fruits, cedar, tobacco ligh peppery. Still on the way up ,albeit well within its drinking window, and has easily another 20years of top drinking. Youngish, energetic, harmonious wine full of elegance. Superb wine. 95-96+
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11/3/2017 - chatters wrote:
Domaine Delon Masterclass (Vaucluse Cellars, New South Head Road): What a lovely nose. Toast, biscuit, earthy but with cassis over blackcurrant, spice and pretty red berries. There is almost a slightly jammy element. Some tertiary stuff as well - leather, touches of sous bois, mint. Lovely, juicy, thick, dense tannins but it's still fleshy with black and red fruit, long superb.
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11/3/2017 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Domaine Delon Masterclass (Vaucluse Cellars): well opened up, a lovely mix of flavours
rich and fruity, some earth
drinking well now
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11/2/2017 - Remony wrote: 93 Points
This wine is delicious, beautifully mannered, charming and well-made, but all in a limited way. It lacks the bite, the animale quality, which Las Cases usually has. Whilst not short, neither does it have the savour and length which it should have. It is much too benign. As before, I am convinced that the reverse osmosis machine has done its work far too well. It is a lovely, easy-going wine which has missed its way in this very fine vintage -- it should have been up there with Ch Latour and Ch Margaux, but it isn't.
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9/30/2017 - CurtaVino Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic well integrated Bourdeaux. Tannins and acidity relaxed and really let the tobacco and earthy flavors shine. A bit thin on the finish but mostly due to the age. If you have it, it's probably just a bit past prime.
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9/29/2017 - asgerG wrote: 94 Points
600cl btl. Classic Las-Cases in the beginning of its drinking window. Tasted along side Latour 1995 and to start with they were a par but eventually Latour was a bit more complex. However, a very strong showing. Drink now-2030
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9/28/2017 - beatles wrote: 93 Points
600cl btl. Better from this format, not surprisingly. Tasted vis-avis Latour 1995, this just falls short, but still, this is the real stuff, a masculin wine with coffee, leather black fruit and spice. Will keep, just entering the drinking window. #Philipson30
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9/7/2017 - beatles wrote: 92 Points
Not far from the vintage, neither in style nor quality, this is fully mature, shows chocolate, coffee galore, a soft attack, easy drinking. #Format#Brandis
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7/29/2017 - Fid Likes this wine: 95 Points
Melisse dinner. Wine 3 of 3. This was the WOTN for most. Dark purple with really no signs of amber at the edges. Could have easily been mistaken for a 5 year old wine based on color -- but not on its nose. Great complex nose, red and dark fruit, cedar chest, tobacco, and a bit of earth. Palate was full bodied, with noticeable but well balanced tannin. Good fruit, tending toward the dark spectrum with more of the earthy notes and tobacco. This probably has decades left.
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7/17/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
First Growth in quality is the first and most accurate descriptor that comes to mind. Power, precision, finesse, purity of fruit, coupled with a regal quality to the tannins, textures and fruit are what you'll find. Concentrated, but not the least bit heavy, this is a stunner. Perhaps the wine was decanted about 20 minutes before serving. This is just sublime! If you want to experience Leoville Las Cases at its best, this is the vintage to open today.
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7/8/2017 - robertek wrote: flawed
Always painful when you get a corked 20 year old magnum :(
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6/18/2017 - curtr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last bottle had a 5 hour decant. This bottle was served after 1 hour decant. Nice presents, a bit raw, great intensity. My takeaway is that a 5 hour decant gives you a better experience.
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6/8/2017 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just entering its drinking window, the wine has perfect balance. Aromas of blackberry and cedar pervade with a tannic bite on the palate and a long unwavering finish. This was decanted for a few hours which was needed, and continued to develop in the glass. This will continue to dramatically improve but enjoyable at present and easily out drinking the 1995.
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4/30/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
God, this is off the hook! Popped and poured, which you would think is a crime against wine, I was shocked at how fabulous this was to taste. Intensity and concentration, with a depth of flavor miles long, the level of tannin is high, but the tannins are refined, ripe, and long. The wine is fresh, balanced and really coats your taste buds. You can pop a cork today and enjoy the ride, 2 hours of air is suggested. or, wait another decade. Either way, you'll enjoy this stunner. A great vintage of Leoville Las Cases that will mature in my lifetime, who would have thunk it? If y want to know what Leoville Las Cases is all about, this could be the vintage to buy.
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4/27/2017 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
Leoville Las Cases with Pierre Graffeuille (Ripple): Pierre described this as one of the all-time great Las Cases that has only recently closed up. He said it was wide open for 15 years and then 5 years ago it started to need decanting. This got the requisite decant but I still found it very closed-up and unexpressive, with a fierce, drying structure. You could taste the red orchard fruit through it but not much else to see and certainly not the dazzling complexities of the older vintages. Unfortunately there was not enough to come back to this later in the night because one of our bottles was corked. But if I had this I would not be tempted to open it for a long time.
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4/26/2017 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Léoville Las Cases dinner with Pierre Graffeuille (Ripple Restaurant in DC): Very precise classic claret nose displaying intense cassis, blackberry jam, floral dust, cedar, a hint of vanilla and earth. Excellent concentration, beautifully layered, intense cassis driven palate impression, incredibly silky and polished, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral, still noticeable fine tannins and a long energetic finish with cassis and cedar at the end. This is an incredibly youthful classic claret with a long life ahead. The 96s are showing really well with the incredible energy and purity. Some thinks that it is tight. I am loving it, my WOTF by a slim margin, to the hedonistic and explosive 90.
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3/30/2017 - bengti Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully mature yet still lively, nose of the most delicate oriental sandalwood in glass, flavours of peach, cherry, jam, forest brush, but in a lightness more akin to a burg. Saved half for a try the night after. Lovely.
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3/27/2017 - Burgnick wrote:
A real pity that this wine did not have enough aeration. Nose is reticent with mostly black fruit. Palate is well balanced with very good structure and depth. I would not touch this in the next 10 years. If you have to drink it now, a 4-5 hrs decant is necessary.
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2/5/2017 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super Bowl 2017 (Alpharetta, GA): Darker core with garnet rim; fennel, red fruit, bright currant, holly bush, tanned leather, chocolate, dried red fruit, young, fat and rich, weed brownies, damp wet earth, solid and very drinkable; went '00 Pichon Baron.
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2/1/2017 - King Julien wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours, drank over 2 hours. Nose was nice, but this bottle wasn't ready, or maybe needed a longer decant.
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12/31/2016 - curtr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Double decanted and left in bottle for 5 hours. Big intensity, balanced, lots of character. My WOTN.
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12/26/2016 - RedderTheBetter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic
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12/2/2016 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Bordeaux: Second wines in great vintages. (Valuas): Beautiful and classical bouquet with red an dark berry fruits, earth, autumn and rustic flavors. On the palate elegant dark and red berries, earth, autumns and mushrooms and firm acidity. The tannin still has a good bite, but overall the wine is quite mature.
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11/19/2016 - Marc wrote: 92 Points
Sparkling at 70 (Ekatahuna, New Zealand): Second time drunk this year - this time from a colder cellar than the previous bottle. Still very young and primary. This bottle was very much informed by its oak regime. Classic cigar box, vanilla and perfect blackcurrants. It was approachable, but this bottle had not begun to develop more tertiary qualities. Absolutely outstanding, but in need of time, before its full potential is to be realised. 92+ for this bottle - but its last outing suggests where the wine will go
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11/5/2016 - jsebiri wrote:
I thought this would have been better , this evening it was a 91 or 92 point wine . Good wine.
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10/25/2016 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 91 Points
1996 Bordeaux Blind: Not overly expressive on the nose, some clay and very quiet cranberry. Improved with air time. Big expansive palate. A little tart upfront. Rich and round through the middle. Pleasant minerality through finish. Good balance.
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10/14/2016 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
Virtually impenetrable, even after 6 hours in a decanter, yet the breed, depth and balance of the wine foretells a classic Bordeaux that is years away from peak drinking. Even more backward than the '96 Latour tasted alongside. 93+
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8/10/2016 - Remony wrote: 93 Points
Decanted three hours. Almost no residue in bottle. Lovely colour, fully ready, good nose of cedar and sandalwood. Delicious with a rib-eye steak at Harome (the Pheasant), but once again lacking the extra pzazz which LasCases should have. Very good indeed, tannins resolved, some sweetness, but no hint of that austerity, that authority, which should distinguish LLC (and Latour) from the rest. Latterly (after 2 more hours), it did fill out, showing more complexity and grades of flavour, but still did not evince the arresting tannic bite and complexity which I expect from LasCases.
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7/30/2016 - grafstrb wrote:
Garnet-violet color of deep depth. Medium bodied. Some light/grippy/drying tannins; very "pretty" flavor profile, with red fruits and florals dominating.
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7/30/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
No formal note as this was at an offline in SoCal. Lots of great notes here already, just wanted to throw my $0.02 in and say that this wine is truly a siren call - it's haunting, it draws you in, closer and closer. It seems like this is just inside its preferred window, where it will likely sit for a decade without issue; probably some upside here, as well. Medium-bodied, with such lovely, restrained intensity and purposeful sense of place. Understated elegance. highly recommended
Served non-blind, in a vertical of five different LLCs - this one haunted me the most, so yes, this was my fav.
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7/9/2016 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
My tasting note and score from 2011 were really enthusiastic. It seems like the wine has closed down again. In the bouquet dark fruits and luxurious oak, but less outspoken and exclusive than the Léoville Barton tasted beside it. On the palate red and dark berries, good acidity and tannin with still some bite and a bit drying. The wine doesn’t show at its best now. My guess is that well into the 2020’s (2024+) everything will have fallen into place and this wine show great finesse. For tonight 92. For future expectations 94+, so I will put 93 in CT for this classical wine.
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7/9/2016 - jkoenen wrote: 92 Points
Introvert. Lots of potential. 92++
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7/9/2016 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 93 Points
I was expecting a tannic beast but this was decanted for 30 minutes and was very approachable. Cedar nose, medium ruby, everything in balance and a nice long finish. Drink now or over the next 10 years.
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6/13/2016 - Remony wrote: 94 Points
Stood upright from the cellar for 3 hrs; decanted 1 hr. Perfect condition, possibly still a little cold in the first glass. Classic Lascases nose, moderately austere, woodsmoke, a touch of camphor. A big surprise on the palate, however -- initially reserved but never closed, not at all harsh or austere, excellent black fruits, never tannic, no harsh 1996 acidity, very good but not intense. After an hour, it became distinctly bland, still very good indeed, but lacking complexity and length. In the third act, it took the stage at last in full regalia, really delicious and long now, but still not quite showing that intensity or hint of greatness I had been expecting. Very more-ish; the decanter emptied with unexpected speed. All in all, a big surprise, because this is not really Lascases as we knew it in the '80s. I wonder if reverse osmosis is the reason for the change?
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6/6/2016 - Lord Rodney wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful - still quite young
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6/2/2016 - Marc wrote: 96 Points
Fine-Wine Winter Dinner (Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand): Exquisite vintage for Leoville Las Cases and surprisingly, drinking very well at the moment. Tremendous bouquet of pencil shaving and cigar box which focuses on the purity of the cassis fruit and does not rely on an overt overlay of new oak to carry the argument. Im the mouth, still involved, but forward - the structure is firm but the velvet texture allows one to enjoy the wine now. This is a sure bet for the cellar. Edged out the Harlan Estate 1996 tasted at the same time and was the better match with a "Le Chateaubriand" recipe of Beef with Charred Eggplant. 96+++
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5/19/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 96 Points
Tasted blind. Still quite dark in colour, just a hint of discolouration. Opulent and rich on the nose - dark and ripe fruit, earth, spices, tobacco, pencil shavings... Just wonderful. On the palate complex and layered with lots of fruit, still very present tannins, great acidity. Silky and very long. Beautiful structure. Drinking well, but no rush at all. My WOTN. 95-97
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4/22/2016 - JulianSkeels wrote: 95 Points
This was the darkest wine in our LLC vertical (1970-2009) and showing the balanced acidic streak I now associate with 96 left bank wines that encourages me to keep drinking glasses. That acidity doesn't fully mask the tannin level here though - this is a stubborn LLC but nothing compared with the 1982! With air this is now showing more mocha than the plums I recall from a few years ago. If anything this has withdrawn in the last few years and no signs of cedar yet... This is still evolving and shouldn't be touched for a decade. I would be surprised if the peak drinking window starts much before 2030. A conservative 95+pt crystal ball 'guess'.
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3/25/2016 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points
During a Left Bank 1996 tasting dinner. Dark ruby. Discrete nos of dark fruit and earth. Unfortunately rather closed on the palate and a bit unyielding. Still tight but good length. Will this turn around at age 30, who cases. I think the team has extracted too much tannins here in relation of the ripness of the fruit they harvested. Given the price, I would honestly stay away from this vintage of LLC.
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3/17/2016 - Sundbyberg wrote: 92 Points
Tasting: Light and elegant, almost burgundian, but far from being a
showstopper.
My third vintage of this wine (1996, 2006 and 2008) and certainly mixed emotions.
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2/26/2016 - liber Likes this wine: 92 Points
3rd of 24, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level - similar to last Feb's note, but even less expressive. Still purple rimmed and retreated back into shell. Can only assume some notes on here were on badly cellared or flawed bottles as the current note reflects entirely normal development for top claret in a top vintage and particularly for LLC which is notoriously long lived and will often go in to deep sleep after showing well if primary from years 12 to 15. I'm confident that this will throw off the sulks some time over the next 5 years and then improve for 20+ years. Currently F (17.5).
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2/10/2016 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 92 Points
I thought this was generally a very good wine but disagree with some of the comments that suggest this is still so young. It's not, it's ready to drink now. Out of the bottle, a nice brickish colour leads to a very pleasant nose of rose petals and soft oaky/cedary notes - telltale signs of a medium bodied wine. On the palate, the tannins are very rounded and soft and the finish is great too. Despite the tannins, the wine is still well integrated with just a touch of acidity, but it is very apparently showing its age. We did not decant the wine which turned out to be a good decision, it didn't necessarily evolve in the glass. A very nice left-bank bottle for sure, but not likely drinking beyond 10yrs.
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1/14/2016 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light on its feet, like an astronaught bouncing across the lunar surface. Juxtaposes against an aftertaste that manifests a rubbery chewey tannin.
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12/29/2015 - capacious Likes this wine: 95 Points
What a magnificent wine! Drinking beautifully now, even on PNP, and yet prob has another 20 years . One of the better drinking 1996 we have had. Classic Leoville, tannins perfectly integrated, this is an outstanding wine now and for the ages.
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12/11/2015 - la turque wrote: 92 Points
Despite three hours in the decanter, this was very tight and un-giving. It needs time . . . lots of time.
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11/30/2015 - SonnyChiba wrote: 95 Points
Excellent wine, would have guessed it was much younger if drank blind. Rich nose of ripe blackberry. Excellent texture on the palate, ultra smooth, and perfect mid palate to the finish. One of the best LC I have had.
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10/25/2015 - arthrovine wrote: flawed
Corked. Sigh..
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10/23/2015 - d'Artagnan wrote: 94 Points
Années 90 - Bordeaux visite Napa ou vice versa ! (Restaurant Chez Christophe): Un nez discret mais fin, très belle bouche fraiche et d'une finesse exquise, j'adore. Le favori ou deuxième favori du groupe, aisément. 93-94 pts
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10/3/2015 - baxter67 Likes this wine: 97 Points
A stunning wine. Brambles, black cherries, cedar, mint. Concentrated but fine definition. Smooth tannins, a "together" wine. Very slightly tight and austere. We were fortunate to taste the 96 along with the 86 (see note for that). I had a preference for the 86, Mrs B the 96. I think the 96 needed a few more years. (*****)
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9/11/2015 - Pacalet Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark red in color, still very young, nose of spicy dark red fruit, cedar, minty and rather primary. Palate with good power and just as primary as the nose. Lovely to drink now but pretty surprised at how well stored this bottle is, loads of potential.
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7/29/2015 - Timothy Sung wrote: 94 Points
A very complete bordeaux.
In fact, it was so perfect that I was a little bored - if that makes any sense.
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7/11/2015 - Jeffrey Silver Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 3.15hrs. This one needs it. Lovely nose of Cederbox, glycerin, crushed raspberry. The taste is silky smooth with some tannins are not fully shed. It's has blackberry with Cacao. Also some evident of fresh flowers. The tatste goes on for a full minute. There is no doubt this wine is approachable today with many hours of decanting. Although it will age effortlessly for another 15yrs. Love this Wine!
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7/3/2015 - WeisCrackers Likes this wine: 95 Points
Bordering on "hunting lodge". Another memorable wine at Alpenglow Stube
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6/8/2015 - Serge Birbrair Likes this wine:
just excellent wine
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5/4/2015 - Ron Van Holland wrote: 93 Points
Modest but attractive nose of dark fruit, clean earth, and perfume de Bordeaux. Medium body featuring elegant tannins and persistent acidity, with hint of fleeting menthol mid palate. Excellent.
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5/2/2015 - nortonnose wrote: 95 Points
Simply beautiful, charming old claret. 750ml poured into decanter and served - slowly savored over a couple hours with a close friend. The time, the place, the occasion, and the cellar temp serving made this wine a very memorable one. Classic nose of black fruit and cedar, beautifully knit palate of bright red fruit, perfect tannin/Left bank structure, and a long finish. This has another 10-15 years to run wild. Bravo!
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4/27/2015 - Andice wrote: 99 Points
This is just beautiful. Rather reserved mineral-based bouquet. On entry, luscious and silky texture on a black current profile w a hint of five spice. Builds incrementally in the mouth. Obtrusive tannins all resolved, now fine and elegant, can gurgle all day. Finishes long. Still vibrant and has years ahead. Not for fruit-bomb lovers.
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4/8/2015 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 92 Points
Blackberry, sweet spice and wet rocks on the nose. Smooth tannins on a well balanced sweetness with an overlying sweetness.
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4/8/2015 - Topper wrote: 94 Points
Really starting to open up and show what it has. This was undrinkable for about 15 years and now is very beautiful. Chocolate, cedar, licorice, black fruit, maybe a hint of cinnamon. Will drink well for a long time.
This was opened at a Las Cases vertical along with the 75, 83, 86, 89, 90, 94, 00 and 03. Didn't take notes on every one but the winners were the 75 (astonishingly vibrant and put together), the 86 (classic Las Cases, and this 96. The 00 was completely closed down and the 03 surprisingly open. The value proposition was the 94 which was drinking very nicely and is quite affordable if you can find it.
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2/21/2015 - liber Likes this wine: 94 Points
2nd of 24, perfect fill, previous note very fine, this bottle tighter and less expressive though components as in my note of May 2013 and clearly behind very fine Latour 96 and LLC 89 on same night, needs more time to settle down. Fine plus (18/20).
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2/7/2015 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 94 Points
Didn't express much on the nose on opening. Dark ruby with some lightening of the edges. Decanted for 3 hours and drank over 2 hours. After decant, nose yielded more but was still holding back. Plum, red currant, lots of pencil shavings, damp earth, and hints of chocolate. On the palate is where this wine currently shines, showing itself to be extremely smooth with no hard edges. Tannins are silky and round. Very pleasing 45 sec finish. In conclusion, this wine is probably the youngest drinking '96 Bordeaux of recent memory. Its smoothness makes it worth the experience, but I can't help but think that this will be much better in 5-10 years. I'm going to try to hold off on my remaining bottles for awhile.
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2/4/2015 - Philippe_C wrote: 88 Points
Nose of peper, hint of black fruit…. Hard and green tannins, lacking a bit of fruit
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1/31/2015 - KidCharlemane wrote: 93 Points
Bland at opening..Good balance..3hrs started to show its colors
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1/18/2015 - BSA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Initially decanted for 3 hours. Tasted up against 96 Clos du M it first appeared rather dull, but it opened up somewhat over the next 3-4 hours and by the end of the night it had surely taken centre stage. However, no doubt in my mind it is too early now asthe aromas that will surely make this wine amazing are just not present. But one day ...
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1/9/2015 - McKraftyWino Likes this wine: 97 Points
drinking wonderfully
lovely nose
first sip to last it had no flaws
delicious.
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1/2/2015 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
Raid Len's Cellar #6: Blackcurrant, violet, iron and cherry on the nose. The palate is excellent, with great tannin structure overlaid by full and bold fruit. Hasn't budged much since the last bottle 4 years ago - I enjoyed drinking this but it will no doubt improve further over the next 10 years.
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12/23/2014 - Remony wrote: 95 Points
A bottle from the cellar to monitor progress. This is a great wine in development, but it is not quite as friendly tonight as it has seemed over the last few years. The tannins are fine, but they have become more assertive again. Nose & palate vacillate between sharp and sweet, and there is an underlying impression of material in transition from primary to secondary flavours. It is very long, and there are real hints of first growth majesty in a first class vintage. But it is not there yet, and needs at least another 3-4 years. We will let it slumber for a good while yet.
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12/20/2014 - mdefreitas wrote: 94 Points
A serious brooding wine with unmistakable flavors of a medium-aged left-bank Bordeaux. Cedar, earth, minerals and cassis flavors with a hint of tobacco leaf. Drinking beautiful, but this still has quite a bit of upside potential. Linear, lean and precise. Lovely wine.
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12/14/2014 - eluebchow wrote:
HDH Auction; 12/13/2014-12/14/2014 (TRU): Really hard to assess, because I had it right out of the bottle with no decant; There's a lot of nice red fruits on the dense palate, but it's not yet integrated and hasn't developed any interesting secondary or tertiary aromas to complement the fruit; Needs more time, or at least a lot of air
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12/14/2014 - bkeane Likes this wine: 98 Points
Brought a magnum to a dinner party. Decanted for 4 hours. Simply outstanding. Smooth, robust, and well balanced. Clearly the favorite wine of the evening. Try it if you get the chance.
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12/13/2014 - acyso wrote:
HDH auction tasting at Tru; 12/12/2014-12/13/2014 (Chicago, IL): From half-bottle. A big dumb brute, let it sleep for 20 years.
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11/30/2014 - fatfishzsy wrote: 99 Points
真难分辨99和100的区别，96和86一起喝，差异非常小，香气没有那么明显复杂，但是骨架更硬朗，唯一的区别，是三个半小时后完全打开，但之后只能持续40分钟吧，收尾香气有淡淡杉木，开瓶有淡淡胡椒，雄狮并非可以拥抱的大酒，但有俯视大地的风范。
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11/22/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
Severe, tannic, stoic, masculine, deep, concentated, backward and young, this bottle was tight, even after 3 hours of decanting. Other bottles have given up more of their charms. Clearly, this is a great wine. It has the structure, fruit, balance and depth needed to age and develop. However, it also needs time, perhaps 10-15 more years.
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11/20/2014 - Dr. Galazkiewicz wrote: 89 Points
Bordeaux Tasting (Home): I had high expectations for this wine and it failed me. No fruit, no oak. Smelled like a freshly opened plastic toy. At least the tannins were well balanced after 18 years.
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11/20/2014 - clayfu wrote:
Really well done wine, heavily concentrated dark fruit, bracketed by all that growing secondary flavors of leather/spice, the acid is in place. Definitely one of the most balanced wines of the night. One of the WOTNs for me.
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11/18/2014 - petitblanc wrote:
Some seepage, not scored, but plainly showing its quality. Oak, acidity, fruit, still very young with a slightly green undertone. A couple hours in the decanter were helpful.
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11/15/2014 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Delicious black cherry fruit with leather sand earth flavors, tight and very focused, short finish
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11/9/2014 - Topper wrote: 95 Points
Like many, I have worried that this may never open up. Wrong I was. This time, served out of a half bottle, it exploded out of the glass. It was so good that one friend started shouting! With the tannins resolved (at least in the small format), it showed brilliant red fruit, pencil shavings, sweet licorice and a spicy backbone. Bottom line, if you have any small bottles, they can be opened now, but hold off on the 750s for 5 years, and the magnums for who knows how long.
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11/5/2014 - bengti Likes this wine: 94 Points
Razor sharp structure with slightly dormant fruit atop youthful alcohol and superbly integrated tannins. I have to confess it was opened at the end of a boozy night and scoffed down somewhat so didn't get to appreciate the complexity of flavors that should mark such a fine wine in a good year. Nonetheless the impression points to a stunner if given time to open up. I also suspect but cannot prove that it's now at peak and in light of the fruit flavors might not improve much further.
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10/4/2014 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
No bricking. Crystal dark garnet color. Needs to breathe; decant 45 minutes. Still tight but displays palate saturating cherries, plums, anise, balanced cedar and tobacco notes. Not much aroma. Some youthful bitterness and tannin still showing. This one needs time. Try again in 2019 at the earliest.
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8/25/2014 - BFG Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine continues to be one of my all-time favorite Bordeaux, particularly with respect to its potential. It has been parked for quite a few years in a state where it is eminently drinkable, but still sufficiently primary, with tremendous structure, that it is clearly going to be a devastatingly good wine in the future - maybe in 10 years. I have plenty of this wine, and will be tempted to open some bottles sooner, but I must resist that temptation!
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8/13/2014 - MC wrote:
This from the same auction lot that had the bottle of '90 LLC I had recently. It and the remaining 6 have a Virginia import label on the front, vs. the other 6 I have which were futures purchased. This bottle had some run up on the cork in a couple of places but overall was in better shape than the '90. Decanted 2.5 hours. Dark blue fruit and austere on opening, it took the full 2-2.5 hours to fill out a bit. With 3 hours of air this is very good with food, and shows the promis of even better things to come. I like the style of this and what might materialize 5+ years from now, but can be enjoyed with food if given 3 hours of air. A-/A
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7/20/2014 - DougLee wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for approximately 2 hours. Dark garnet with bricky hints. Nose of red currant, cedar, moca, anise, and earth which waxed and waned through the evening. Quiet on the palate at first with a major unwrapping of flavors at about the 3 hour mark, revealing layers of dark currant, mulberry, mineral, and tobacco in waves. Lower acidity and much-resolved tannins, leading to a long, silky finish of sweet plum fruit gripped in fine-grained stone. Very balanced, elegant wine which is still slumbering and needs 5-10 more years.
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7/16/2014 - Cheungtp Likes this wine: 95 Points
The '96 LLC has the look, feel and taste of a much younger wine. It possesses all the quality aspects to age and develop into a spectacular wine some many years down the road. The masculine structure, depth, and impeccable balance will leave you with no doubt of that. At the current stage, nose is light, with notes of currants, graphite, spice and wet earth. Palate probably is the highlight right now, with incredible balance and structure that will light up your senses. Let this one rest, and you will be rewarded.
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4/19/2014 - rcg62 wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful nose, although not particularly intense. But nice plum and dark fruit. Long finish, lighter than I'd imagined but really elegant. Plenty of life left. Perfect tonight with grilled lamb! (For what it's worth, decanted 2 hours.)
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4/17/2014 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice, perfectly aged Bordeaux. Silky smooth.
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4/13/2014 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank long and smooth.....delicious.
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3/8/2014 - d'Artagnan wrote: 97 Points
Un nez très fin de mine de crayon, de liqueur de mûres.
Le soyeux des tanins est incroyable, c'est de la dentelle! Le terme aérien dans le dictionnaire du vin a sans doute sa photo à coté. À 17 ans d'âge, il affiche une fraicheur et une délicatesse qu'on situeraient à Margaux...Je ne parle pas de l'appellation, ce vin a la finesse et la profondeur d'un premier cru. Caché sous ce velours se trouve une discrète structure, insoupçonnée, qui assure une longévité de quelques décennies. L'équilibre est fabuleux, il n'est même pas sur des arômes secondaires, c'est jeune et fruité, si facile à boire et si profond en même temps. Il ne lui manque que la complexité d'un vin à maturité, car il est encore jeune. Il frise la perfection et pourrait l'atteindre dans 5 à 10 ans...
Un très grand vin et sans aucun doute le meilleur St.-Julien que j'ai jamais pris. Mon vin de l'année. 97+ pts
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2/20/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 95 Points
No formal note, big and tastes like a right bank ( blind ) although I'm really not sure why. This was super enjoyable as it has been in the past, I really like.
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2/2/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super Bowl 2014 (Roswell, GA): Dense dark core with 1/4" bricking; sandy earthy, tobacco, cigar, red currant, iron; fatter with soft tannin, graphite, gravel, viscous mouthfeel but lacked a little stuffing; very balanced this wine is already drinking well and extended aging would not be necessary; classic Left Bank Bordeaux in my opinion.
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12/29/2013 - jdesimone4 wrote: 90 Points
Excellent nose, nice finish. Decanted for an hour. Didnt find it got better after a day in the decanter as some have found. Opened up more after an hour or so post decanting
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12/20/2013 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 94 Points
This opaque crimson/ruby wine was tasted in double-blind fashion with our Friday tasting group. The bottle was kindly provided by T.R. There is nothing subtle about this masculine offering, with intense "juvenile" aromas and flavors of black currants, tar, minerals and Asian spices. Full-bodied, fresh and with massive mouth-puckering tannins, it coats the palate throughout the beefy middle and lengthy finish. Although no doubt outstanding (if not classic) in quality, this bruiser is in desperate need of additional cellaring. Drink 2020-2035.
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11/23/2013 - onboisduvin Likes this wine: 97 Points
drinking with 93 las cases tonight. completely 2 different wine. 93 a typical saint julien, 96 very delicate, difficult to guess its origin if blindly tested. Aroma of more floral than the typical bordeaux cassis, a margaux style was sensed. Wonderful and so potential, nice!!!
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11/14/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
Served blind, clearly this was a great Bordeaux from the Medoc. On the nose, tobacco, earth, cassis, wood and forest floor, on the palate, the wine was full bodied, concentrated and refined. However, this bottle was more advanced than other recently tasted examples. It was more open, less tannic and showed slightly more red fruits and signs of maturity than it should have. That being said, 1996 is one of the top vintages of Leoville Las Cases. It's a better wine than the much more expensive 1982.
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10/25/2013 - rossi.wine wrote: 96 Points
Ripe red fruit, spice box, chocolate, creamy, silky nose. Dark fruit on the palate, spicy, minty, power, balance, round and smooth tannins, very long. A wonderful wine with a great future, no rush drinking this. Really improved over time in glass although it was decanted 100 min+ before. Outstanding.
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10/24/2013 - GEDC Likes this wine: 95 Points
LLC was opened 5 hours before consumption. Side by side with Pichon Baron 1999 that was opened 1 hour prior to consumption. Started with the Baron and boom the nose was there lovely as ever ready to go welcoming to drink this splendid juice. This bottle at the very end had a bit of sour apple and felt a bit more evolved then the previous 2 bottles on 6/17/2012 & 5/20/2013. I give the baron 93. One thing that is important here is the price. The Baron is around $100 and the LLC $200+ The LLC nose was a bit muted, this wine has been in a shut down mode for at least 10 years I remember one of my friends complaining about when is it ever going to be ready to enjoy the long wait. What did not offer on the nose made it up on the pallet very concentrated, tannic cab with a strong presence of spices would of liked to see a bit more fruit could have had a better score in my humble opinion. Was the LLC better than the baron, yes, was it mind blowing better, no. Is it worth shelling out twice as much for it? That is up to you fine wine brother's to decide, enjoy!!!
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10/19/2013 - spendergast Likes this wine: 98 Points
Aerated for 90 minutes. A nearly perfect wine - loads of fruit with soft tannins. The wine is perfectly balanced and has a long finish. I'm a big fan of Las Cases and this wine definitely delvers.
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10/8/2013 - clairenclarence wrote: 91 Points
decant.the wine stil much alive.age cab dominate.seems to me primary character start to fade.
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9/7/2013 - Remony wrote: 96 Points
This is well on its way to excellence. P & P first night, bottle half finished and left alone for 2 nights, just as good 48 hours later. Satisfying deep red colour, perfect clarity, and sharp delineation at rim. Quite a gentle nose, but a palate of vigour and completeness, sweet, tannins fully integrated, not a hint of the harshness LLC can show in hard vintages. Probably still has further to go, but already a special bottle.
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8/17/2013 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Double decanted about 2 hours before serving. Youthful dark garnet color with no amber on the edges. Didn't sit in the decanter very long before back into the btl. Nice clean floral nose of fruit and spice. At first sip tanin was a little in the lead but with time in the glass it quickly became silky. A very balanced presentation of classic leftbank flavors such as tobacco, lead pencil, mineral and red fruit. One Bdx guy chastized me for opening too soon and he was probably right but so what. I'm in the "better early than too late" camp. That said, it probably makes sense to to hang onto this wine for at least another 3-5yrs for optimal pleasure.
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7/30/2013 - Collector1855 wrote: 92 Points
Note to Bordeaux novices: Leoville Las Cases, neighbor of Chateau Latour, is making one of Bordeaux's most conservative, slow aging, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting note: Dark ruby, not very evolved color. Discrete nose of wood, dark fruits, forest floor with a bit of barnyard. On the palate very conservatively structured (=dry) with gripping tannins but some good fruit in the background, very spicy too. This Leoville ist now finally approaching its drinking plateau after being pretty much closed and undrinkable in its first 15 years... While I like classic offerings, this vintage of Leoville is lacking the fruit to support the prevailing tannins. That is why I don't see this wine ever going to reach the 95 and above rating range (Just for comparison, the Latour 96 was closed for a very long time too but is now drinking splendidly). Don't even think of serving this LLC to someone who is not used to regularly drink old fashioned styled Bordeaux from the left bank. Open 1-2h prior to drinking.
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5/25/2013 - liber Likes this wine: 96 Points
Stunning first bottle from case, but still a baby, all primary flavours, med deep red still with purple edge, fresh cassis dominant on nose, med full, long, superb grip, fruit oozes class, components all there to improve on current VF (18.5/20).
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5/10/2013 - tbabes wrote: 95 Points
Opened one hour before service, but not decanted. Youthful purple core, turning to ruby at the rim; no signs of bricking. Immediately upon pouring, notes of cassis, ripe blackberry, plum and black truffle explode from the glass. Equally vibrant on the palate, with a round and generous texture -- just about perfect for me -- with great depth, balance and focus on the finish. A word of caution: this did gradually close down over the course of dinner, and by the end of the meal was not as impressive as it was out of the gate. This bodes well for a long life, but I will keep mine remaining stocks in the cellar for another few years before revisiting.
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4/25/2013 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
lovely nose - pencil shaving, tobacco even a touch of cheese
elegant ripe fruit, silky texture, grippy ripe tannins, perfect balance
great fragrance,
just gorgeously poised between youthful fruit and maturity
delicious, very long
A thrill to try a wine so complete
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4/18/2013 - Ramberg wrote: 92 Points
4 wines in this blind flight, all turning out being 2:em Left Bank 1996 Bordeaux.
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Pichon – Longueville Baron, Léoville las Cases, Rauzan – Segla.
This particular Chateau always seems to trick me when it comes to guess the age?
It always seems to be at least 10 years younger than a neighbor chateau from the same vintage in a glass next to it, when tasted blind,.
Tonight, up against 3 other left bank Bordeaux wines from the same vintage, it did it again.
It seems like this matures so much slower than it’s neighbors, or is it just me?
Anyway, the nose on this is young, with wood evident, some tobacco and deep black currant.
Quite closed.
The fruit is soft, even light, and the wine has a high (1996) acidity, clean and balanced, but all in all very closed down.
I believe this wine needs at least 15+ more years before its starting to show its full potential.
Score given for tonight’s performance, and not potential.
I think this might turn out great, if drunk when this has matured.
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4/3/2013 - gsquireh Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark purple color, aromas of black fruit, forest floor, licorice, sweet tobacco, and cassis. Perfectly balanced and luxuriously smooth with an extraction that fills the mouth with mature delicious fruit and rich terroir. Amazing finish!
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1/16/2013 - PGB wrote: 89 Points
Either not ready or spoilt. Observing rave reviews from others I fear the worst.
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12/26/2012 - sphBacchus Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted and then consumed over 2/3 hours . A very good wine but was expecting more .
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12/25/2012 - Lipsman wrote: 95 Points
Deep garnet to the edge, no sign of bricking. Needs to breath; decant an hour in advance, otherwise it is tight and off balance before mellowing out, becoming velvety with a hint of acidity that keeps this wine from being fully round and balanced. Primarily black cherries, mouthwatering strawberry, anise, framboise, and black tea. Loaded with juicy fruits. This is a complex wine, of good length, deeply extracted fruit, and juicy acidity. Some chalky minerality and tannin is still evident. This will undoubtedly improve with 3 - 5 years in the cellar. It is not fully mature. Secondary flavors are yet to develop. Enjoyable to drink now, or hold and try again in 2016. Ninety-four points today, but 95-96 with time.
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11/24/2012 - kopke Likes this wine:
Nez fermé au début, ensuite des fruits noirs, mûres font une apparition. La robe est très jeune, aucun signe d'évolution! Une bouche d'une jeunesse insolente pourvue d'un magnifique fruitée. Un gros wow pour moi. Ce vin a encore une très longue vie devant lui!
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11/15/2012 - JulianSkeels Likes this wine: 96 Points
Young, tannic but with great potential. Depth of plum taste almost reminded me of a tannic 2009 LLC. Buy with confidence... Will be clearly better than LLC 1990
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10/25/2012 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
Leoville Las Cases 2004 > 1982, with Michael Schuster (Bordeaux Index, London): Another great showing, the second in a week. Dark in colour, youthfull. Full on St Julin nose, cedar, dark fruit, spice, floral. Full on firm tannin on the palate, fleshy, dense wine with lots of complexity and elegance. On the young side and needs easily another 5years to hits its full stride but very nice to encounter it again, in its gentle harmoneous masculinity. 95+ once again
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10/23/2012 - pakabear wrote: 95 Points
Big, chalky, dark brooding fruit. Still needs time, will last another 10-20 years in good storage. Drink with long decant or hold.
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10/23/2012 - dcwino wrote: 95 Points
Trip’s visit to DC - Ristorante Tosca (Ristorante Tosca, Washington DC): Big scale, silky, dark fruits.
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10/16/2012 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
1996 Red Bordeaux (Medoc) , with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Elegant, full of finesse yet full restrain. Buttoned up in a way and hidden, tight and much like the first growths one that needs another 10 years to evolve into what should be superb wine. The nose is light restrained yet ever so elegant and balanced. On the palate it is closed, light on the fruit yet ever so balanced. Maybe it is star gazing but here we will break out norm and rate on potential. 95 and wait 10yrs.
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9/29/2012 - Julia7ich wrote: 96 Points
Deep dark garnet. Concentrated nose with sweet red fruit and the first touch of forest undergrowth. Abundant sweet, ripe tannin and lively acid support extremely ripe dark berry fruit. Long finish with graphite. Lovely fine dry texture, very fine and smooth.
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9/24/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 93 Points
Similar to the bottle I tried a year ago, but slightly more evolved and more red fruit and leather. Somehow this bottle seemed lighter. More interesting, but still not as good as I had hoped.
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9/12/2012 - dcwino wrote: 95 Points
Faryan’s Grand Sendoff – Blue Duck Tavern - Mostly matured Bordeauxs (Blue Duck Tavern - Washington D.C.): Deeply toned and big scale. Sweet Inky black fruits, cassis, graphite, vanilla, mushroom and earth. Still extremely youthful and developing slowly. Exceptional concentration, sweet, silky and clean palate. Nicely integrated tannins. Clear LLC signature of clean, youthful and modern. Drinking nicely but will improve at least for the next 20 years and will last for a while thereafter.
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6/30/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 94 Points
Dark and brooding. Intense dark fruit and leather. Long finish.
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6/23/2012 - canan wrote: 94 Points
Leoville Las Cases - Vertical Tasting (Le Sommelier, Copenhagen): Intense young black currant fruit with a hint of meat and coffee.
The acidity on the palate is just crazy. There is a hint of black currant fruit and a lot of iron in the flavors. Clean solid structure with a beautiful long aftertaste. It does however lack a little fruit to bring everything together.
When the bottle was revealed I was a little disappointed as I had expected more from this vintage!
Still a good LLC but to me nothing spectacular.
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5/18/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
This massive Leoville Las Cases was so powerful, tannic, structured, and young, served double blind, I was sure it was a 2005 Pauillac. Packed with layers of fruit, there is so much tannin, it was not much fun to drink, even after the wine had been decanted for several hours. This is a stunning wine, but it demands at least 10-15 more years before it comes together and softens.
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5/12/2012 - Remony wrote: 93 Points
Two bottles with Charlotte over goats cheese in puff pastry and a Thai duck concoction cooked by her, both excellent. This wine is quite delicious, tannins fully resolved now, cedar and graphite on the palate, lovely with or without food. But it didn't seem quite to have the pzazz of the great years, although it's still on the young side and might still, I suppose, acquire some further complexity?
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5/5/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 97 Points
Killer Bordeaux Tasting (Kevin's House (Minneapolis)): My wine of the night and groups wine of the night. An amazing effort that is balanced, powerful, graceful, elegant, etc. One of the best wines from Bordeaux I have sampled to date. Intense nose of clay, chocolate, figs, stones and raspberries. Long finish and complex. Drink now- 2040. Wonderful effort!!!
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4/28/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 97 Points
Big Bordeaux III - Kickin' Ass & Takin' Names: Stunning Wines from 1986, 1990, 1996 + 2002 Cristal (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Very dark red/purple color. Slow ox for 2.5hrs. Decanted for 5.5hrs. Stunning Nose, NOTN, and given this lineup that is really saying something. Holy Crap, this is amazingly good, I can't get this ridiculous grin off my face as this just oozes out of the glass. Intensely perfumed nose of vanilla, ripe berries, graphite, creme de cassis, floral, funk, earth, oak. The palate is stainingly deep, rich and flavorful, full of power and absolutely elegant as well. Layers of black fruits, especially cassis, blackberry, prominent pencil shavings and charcoal, cedar, a little meat. Extremely long vibrant finish 90-120 seconds. Still young, but incredible now, where can this go? My WOTN, group WOTN with 7 of 10 1st place votes. 97+pts.
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4/24/2012 - JBBridge wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for two+ hours then drank over the next two with grilled ribeyes, morel mushrooms in butter and garlic, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, green salad. Dark, inky color. Somewhat reluctant nose of cigar box, leather, dark fruit. Thick in the mouth. Palate was slightly monolithic red and dark fruit. Tannins sweet and getting integrated. All in all, a pleasant and enjoyable experience not quite as memorable as I expected. It is still fairly young. May be going into a dumb phase. Will try one of my other bottles in a few years.
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4/9/2012 - petitblanc wrote: flawed
Corked.
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3/26/2012 - MatthewF wrote:
Night at the Bulls Game: Basically popped and poured. Seemed leaner or perhaps a bit shut down when compared to the 90 Montrose in the next glass. Darker firm red currant and cherry with tobacco and mineral tones with touches of new leather. The fruit was there on the palate, but it was fairly structured and not giving tons. Medium plus bodied with a moderate finish. Still in need of more time or an extended decant.
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1/29/2012 - DonalOB wrote: 93 Points
The Impromptu '96 Horizontal (Mine, Hong Kong): This was a monster - deep and dense all the way to the rim. Quite closed. After I decanted it I assumed it would open up after a few hours but it was quite tortuous. It was like it was only a couple of years old. Some bell pepper, very full bodied and unctuously, thick. This coats the mouth and stays there - good for length but not enough flavours yet to warrant the score I thought this would get. Bit of a disappointment. I guess we leave this for another 10 years!
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1/29/2012 - RayOB wrote: 93 Points
Drank in Hong Kong
Had this with a '96 Ducru and a '96 Montrose.
Deep crimson red with no visable aging at all.
Very closed and backward compared to the other two. Took about two hours for a nose to form of cassis, plumb, spice and some vegetable.
Smooth rich with a mid length.
I would not pay the price differential for this at the moment and the '96 Ducru is much better. Will try again in another five years.
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12/18/2011 - Ed Chen wrote: 92 Points
Holiday Tastings; 12/16/2011-12/20/2011 (Redlands): Cedar nose with lead pencil undertones, core of blackberry and spice with well-integrated tannin; 92+
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12/11/2011 - cadams wrote: 93 Points
Drinking really well right now but should get better. Very expressive floral, dark fruits and earth on the nose. The palate follows suit with a great blend of finesse and power. Blackberries, blueberries, hints of plum, good minerality. Medium finish.
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12/10/2011 - petitblanc wrote:
Much greener and funkier than expected, not at all the style of previous bottles. Not scored.
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12/5/2011 - Invinoverytas wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic bottle. Took awhile to open up. Decanted for about 2 hours. Drinking really well now. Well integrated, seamless bordeaux
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11/24/2011 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
A Vintage Run, 1994, 1995, 1996 Bordeaux, with Rebecca Lamont (Berry Bros & Rudd, London): Tasted Blind.
Floral, cedar, red and black fruit on the nose. Textbook cabernet sauvignon. Dry, high acidity, good tannin. Too young at this stage but an amazing wine and with a long beautiful life ahead of it. 95 for now but will definitely get better.
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10/18/2011 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed
Acker Merrall 1996 Left Bank Bordeaux Dinner (Balsan - Chicago IL): Corked.
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9/24/2011 - Zweder wrote: 96 Points
Enormously classical luxurious bouquet with cassis, graphite, cedar, tobacco, etc. etc. On the palate all the luxurious impressions as well. Cassis, round tannin with a lot of power and perfect acidity. So classical juice. Extremely long finish. I scored it 96 for now, but there is room for a little more in the future. I would wait at least 5 years before trying the next bottle and the wine will definitely still be great around 2025.
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9/10/2011 - Bellissimo wrote:
Had at a wine dinner. Not sure how long this had been opened before we got around to tasting. Deep and dark in color. Graphite, tobacco, blackberry and crushed rock on the nose. On the palate was dark cherries, forest floor, tobacco and cured meat. Everything was nicely integrated with still substantial tannins bringing up the rear. Host indicated he wasn't as wowed as he had been the last time he had cracked a bottle but for me it was a treat.
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9/9/2011 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
This btl kind of got by me. Enjoying my guest and not as focused on the wine. Think we opened too many wines. Should have cut back on the whites. After everyone left I had a final small pour left from the blt and this last small glass seemed quite nice and up to the pedigre.
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9/8/2011 - Margauxguy wrote: 94 Points
Opened, decanted and sat for an hour. Classic st julien, on the nose, cedar, graphite, lead pencil. Massive and dense. Bramble, blackberry, opulent, very mouth filling. Nice mineral quality, slot going on. As it warmed up, almost too ripe, not sure its bad, it just needs more time to integrate
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8/5/2011 - cubswinws wrote: 95 Points
Amazing aromatics. Crisp sharp fruit flavors. Great minerality. Wonderful depth and finesse. Very complete at this point but in no danger fading anytime soon.
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7/8/2011 - Paul S wrote: 94 Points
Oh What a Night! aka Kelvin's Stag Party (Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck, Paragon): Yet another brilliant wine. Also decanted for some 8 hours, this was a very different animal from the stupendous 1996 Lafite I had alongside. It had a very St Julien nose - tobacco, forest floor, sweet cassis, cigar, dried flowers – just wonderful stuff. The palate had a distinct ring of 1996 quality to it - really fresh, transparent, and pure with absolutely delicious flavours of succulent cassis and dark cherries flecked with hints of earth, tobacco and smoky meatiness. So very masculine, yet classy and elegant at the same time. What a wine! It was hard to put the glass down, given how delicious it was, but like the Lafite, this is a wine that has decades ahead of it. However, given the solid core of depth and the nobility of structure and balance here, I would not be surprised if this actually takes even longer to come around than its more illustrious northerly neighbour.
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6/5/2011 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
Blueberry, blackcurrant, kirsch and some violet notes. Palate is bold, rounded and juicy. Very youthful and I think it will be better in 5-10 years but very appealing to drink already.
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6/4/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Served double blind, my first introduction to the wine was the strong perfume that was filled with crushed stone, tobacco, cassis, smoke, earth and blackberry. Powerful, intense, full bodied, tannic and deep, this Bordeaux wine combined concentration and finesse for a wine of First Growth quality. While the wine had ample stuffing and structure to age for generations, the tannins were so ripe and round, this was already approachable. Classy and stylish, with a long, pure, cassis filled finish, this is now my favorite vintage of Leoville Las Cases.
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5/29/2011 - petitblanc wrote: 94 Points
Very youthful deep crimson-purple color. Still quite primary and linear, with plenty of piney wood, plum, and berries. Showing great balance and concentration, this will live for many years, but it is thoroughly enjoyable right now with a lengthy decant, if you don't mind the firm tannins. It achieves the purity of fruit of a New World fruit bomb, without the excessive alcohol and without sacrificing structure. Very impressive.
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5/8/2011 - ChinonRouge wrote: 96 Points
Consumed from magnums purchased at Bassin's. This wine is stellar. It needs a little time decanting but it opens up very nicely. Ready now. Not at all closed or shut down. Elegant and refined. Most highly recommended.
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5/4/2011 - MattTM wrote:
Château Léoville Las Cases Back Vintage Dinner (Chambar Restaurant, Vancouver, BC): Fruit forward nose which was slightly sweet, showing pencil shavings, black cherry, dark plum, prune, tobacco, and a touch of mint. Huge sharp palate dominated by dark cherry, along with lead pencil, plum, black pepper, mint, asphalt, and a touch of anise. Extremely dry and layered, with lots of dusty tannin. While young, this is showing loads of potential for those who are patient and wait this out. Extremely long finish, ending with cherry and plum. Fantastic, my wine of the night.
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4/16/2011 - johnh1001 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 2hrs, drank over the next 2hrs. Somewhat closed on the nose. Dark fruits, earth, tobacco. Tannins are noticeable. Nicely integrated palate, medium length finish. A sound wine, but not worth the score in my view. It clearly has a long life ahead so look forward to trying it again in 5yrs. I expect this will improve in time.
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4/5/2011 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Still a very tannic wine, will have a good number of years ahead of it. Dark brooding fruit as I come to expect from LLC.
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4/4/2011 - drgrape wrote: 90 Points
Still quite a bit of tannins, sweet fruit, but hard to get by the barnyard even after 2 hours of decanting.
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2/28/2011 - MRichman wrote:
1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Harry's, NYC): Tight, perhaps closed. Pretty with light flower notes. A bit light at the moment. Hold.
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2/27/2011 - Aschwartzdc wrote: 96 Points
Dark violet color. Decanted for 2 hours. Great aroma of fruit and violet. Tannins mellow.
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2/4/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 92 Points
Consumed at the house in Wailea.
Decanted for three hours. Violet, ruby and garnet, with a lightening and blushed rim. Tobacco, graphite, rose petals, cedar and marinated meat. The aromatics grabs me the most. Long and captivating, with micro-fiber tannins that still have presence. A prudent and enjoyable Las-Cases. I'm sorry, this is outstanding, however, not as mythic or classic as some have claimed. Don't get me wrong, I would enjoy this any time and there's still a long life ahead. A nice floral note on the finish. Drink now - 2028.
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2/1/2011 - JOsgood wrote: 96 Points
Off the charts! Lovely perfume on the nose. Earthy and velvety on the palate. Long, long finish. What a treat to drink this.
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12/19/2010 - Remony wrote: 94 Points
Last tasted in March 2006, when it was a stygian purple, imperious, impenetrable, intense, forbidding, unknit, potentially wonderful, but 10 years away from being ready. I bought 3 cases, and resolved to forget all about them for a decade. But then I decided this week to try each of the LLCs of 1995, 1996 & 1988 (in that order), just to see how they are coming along. Well ....... the 1996 has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. It is now ready to drink with pleasure, the tannins are resolved, and it is simply delicious. Blackcurrants & brambles, chalk & minerals, sweet but not overly so, very long. Now it is commanding rather than imperious, still intense but no longer overwhelming in its intensity. Ideally a few more years will increase its complexity, but this was still a delightful surprise. On its way to 95 or even 96 points. I fear the 1988 may be a surprise as well, but not in the same way .................
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12/14/2010 - drycab wrote:
Took to Vegas with the guys. Decanted but not long enough, still its a great bottle of wine.
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10/14/2010 - paulevd wrote:
Opened for 26th wedding anniversary. Let sit for an hour before pouring (too lazy to decant) and then let sit in the glass for a 1/2 hour. "WOW" is my immediate reaction to the nose. Medium-dark red. Initial wave of cassis gives way to leather and tobacco with the cassis then re-emerging. On the first sip there's a "Tannin alert!" Intense flavors are there but they're still doing battle. Five more years before I open the next one. 92-96 pts? Maybe even better? Good stuff but too far removed from optimum drinking to get a handle on how good.
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9/26/2010 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
From a half-bottle. Dark garnet colour, with no significant signs of bricking. On the nose, this is dusty, with some notes of smoke, vanilla, bitter orange peel, and a hint of cassis. Seems like this is at the awkward pimply-teenage phase where it's lost the fruit of youth but yet to develop the maturity of adulthood. The analogy's all the more fitting seeing that this is a 14-year-old wine. The palate is quite smooth, with some black fruit slowly emerging on the midpalate, alongside dusty and smoke notes. The acidity's there for this to last the long haul and the tannins, though velvety, still could use a bit more time. Palate seems somewhat unfocused right now. Somewhat disappointing; I suppose I'm going to have to stash the rest in the back of my cellar and forget about it for a few years. This opened up significantly over the course of the next few hours -- decant if you must drink it now.
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9/11/2010 - JimHow wrote: 90 Points
What has happened to this wine? What was once a beautiful 1996 ripe tannic St. Julien has become hard and unfriendly the last few times I've had it. It was kind of lost among all of the other wines tasted this night.
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8/14/2010 - pikemasterflash wrote: 91 Points
Bit of a disappointment. This was thin and lacking any real middle or finish. I prefer the '95
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8/1/2010 - Motormaster wrote: 97 Points
@Blake's bday party. Wine of the night.
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7/24/2010 - drycab wrote:
Took to a restaurant, popped and poured to aerate and let sit for about an hour. Simply another great bottle, in its window and singing.
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5/22/2010 - City Wine Journal wrote: 93 Points
Retail purchase, held 2 years. Soft cork, first LLC with even a hint of fault. Nose was muddy, descanting helped it, and I agree let it sit for a few hours, it builds and reveals layers and power in time. Nice color, a more elegant presentation of LLC than expected, lacking just a fraction of full volume and depth. Long finish. A step up from the 96 Clos du Marquis, both drinking very well. Long, balanced. Decant and serve in 3 hours.
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2/21/2010 - austinwinesalon wrote: flawed
Definitive Bordeaux (Mirabelle Restaurant Austin, Texas): Flawed, and a cog in our flight tasting. Could have been a contender, but the oxidation was not discernible during decanting, jumped out in the blind bag.......
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2/2/2010 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine:
French Wine Tasting in Lavandou Restaurant, Washington D.C. (Lavandou Restaurant, Washington D.C.): Another single bottle I own, and the first time I recall ever trying this. A great opportunity because this bottle screams: “Do not open me yet!” A very rich and powerful nose - oddly enough like the Angelus in that sense - but the palate is streamlined and muscular, not thick or broad. In a word: closed. Time in glass, revisiting about one hour later, does open it up a tad, and actually allows you to experience the great depth this wine possesses. But, really, do yourself a favor if you own this wine and wait another 8-10 years before popping that cork.
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1/27/2010 - Stefanos T. wrote: 96 Points
Medium garnet. Explosive nose. Mostly (noble) manure, barnyard, hay, wonderfull. Fully mature, surprisingly soon for such a wine. Not a bad thing though. I have tasted Bordeaux's from 1990 and they were younger. This wine is ready. Very well balanced, flavourful, with animal, black fruit, herbs, botanicals and sweetness in the mouth, very expressive and exuberant with amazing finish. Might not be the most elegant Bordeaux but it is a great wine.
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12/21/2009 - Haut Brion wrote:
Not rated as dubious bottle.
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12/1/2009 - Employee500 wrote: 92 Points
Good, but underperforming relative to the predictions of the gods. Currants, blackberry, graphite, pepper and a hint of still toasty oak. Balanced and proper, but ultimately lacks complexity and excitement....maybe with time, but right now it's a bit disappointing.
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12/1/2009 - wineismylife wrote: 93 Points
Dallas - A little hootch and some tender viddles on a Monday night (Dali Wine Bar, Dallas, TX): WIML93
Tasted December 1, 2009 at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, white pepper, spice, shale, a bit of ash and a mix of dark fruits. Flavors of black berries, plums, cherries and light notes of currants. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.
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11/26/2009 - yacobove wrote: 93 Points
Musty and leathery smell. Mossy and mineral upfront taste. Smooth taste, but can still benefit from a few more years of age. Probably could wait 10+ years.
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11/14/2009 - winestem wrote: 92 Points
A perfect wine? I don't think so. Not for me. A lovely dark purple color, some fruit some earthiness, blackcurrant and a touch of oak.
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11/8/2009 - MatthewF wrote:
Dinner at Home with Friends (Chicago IL): Opened for 6 hours before serving. Sweet red currant and cassis on the nose with cedar, tobacco, and leather. Some wet earth as well. A fruit forward palate with great texture. A very long finish with fine tannin. Very youthful.
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11/7/2009 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: flawed
Marine Room Leoville Las Cases Vertical Dinner (Marine Room Restaurant, La Jolla, CA): Sadly, this bottle was corked.
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10/30/2009 - Niagara wrote: 94 Points
Benefits from decanting and time to develop. A very, very good wine; to my taste the '95 is just slightly better right now.
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10/17/2009 - ricknat1 wrote: 94 Points
Part of a blind tasting of Leoville Poyferre, Barton and Las Cases, 1982, 1990, 1996 and 2000 with Acker. The nose is sweet, creamy and delicious. Rich with caramel, cream and fruits subdued by the tannens. Nowhere near ready.
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9/26/2009 - Miceri wrote: 91 Points
Very dark; gamey nose; sweet soft tannins; lacks a bit of substance and complexity. Had expected more.
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9/25/2009 - gsquireh wrote: 96 Points
Pure classic with inky purple color followed by aromas of cherry, licorice, and cassis. Perfectly balanced and heavenly smooth with an extracted richness that fills the mouth with fruit, minerals, and terroir that blend into a beautiful flavor and finish.
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8/23/2009 - MatthewF wrote:
Another weekend of Excess; 8/21/2009-8/24/2009 (Chicagoland): Sweet red fruits, plum/cherry/berry on the nose and palate with some cedar and (nice) vegetal notes. Lusher fruit on the palate than the '95 and this one was the initial favorite of the flight, but after a half hour the '95 beat it.
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8/12/2009 - phantphant wrote: 82 Points
Good nose..but that was all. Thin, flat.....very unfortunate given my expectations. Decanted for awhile which helped minimize the sharp negatives but didn't induce positives. Disappointing.
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7/12/2009 - blanquito wrote: 93 Points
BWE does Manhattan: a 1996 & 2003 Bordeaux Retrospective: Not surprisingly, this is the slowest wine to open up of the 1996 Left Bankers. The tannins are big but soft. Big upside, check back in 10 years. Classy, excellent. (5 2nd-place votes, 1 3rd-place vote = 11 pts)
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7/3/2009 - Topper wrote: 90 Points
Second time I've tried this and it'[s still not open for business, not even from 375ml and not on the second day either. It's starting to develop some fullness and good mouthfeel but the flavors are still repressed and there is still an astringency that one hopes will disappear in a few years. Not yet my cup of tea.
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6/22/2009 - jonnyoro wrote:
one of my favorite wines- opened not decanted but poured into glasses for an hour before drinking- starting to mature, but this is a full bodied bruiser- in a classical sort of way. it is certainly all bordeaux with beautiful black fruit, a tocuh of mocha and lead minerality.absolutely delicious (i had with an elk rib chop and a potato chip with subtle blue cheese). this wine has an ultra long finish- i've not touched my stash of 2000 llc but if it's better than this '96... how could it be!?!
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4/29/2009 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 95 Points
Leoville Las Cases at My House: It was great to taste this against the '95 as the comparisons were very interesting. The '96 shows redder fruit and a more open personality at the moment. Some smoke with red fruit on the intriguing nose. In the mouth this seems much more elegant with finer grain tannin, sweeter fruit, and a more expansive flavor profile on the palate. Excellent wine that showed well tonight, but should become much, much better with additional time in the cellar.
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4/29/2009 - Siggy wrote: 94 Points
Tasting Group Dinner - Léoville Las Cases (Dave's House): Double decanted about 3 hours. Tasted side-by-side with the '95 LLC (see TN), the '96 had a sweeter, slightly redder core of fruit. Tight and smoky, with wonderful structure and texture, and a long, ripely tannic finish. Quite closed, and also in need of at least 5 more years of bottle age. I marginally preferred the '96 due to its livelier fruit.
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4/20/2009 - drycab wrote: 95 Points
My first Leoville and I'm just flat blown away. It has everything its supposed to..leather, earth, black fruit, working tannins, and a finish that is wonderful. Glad I have 5 more!!
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4/4/2009 - FakeAccount wrote: 92 Points
Good, solid wine, but not in the league described by the critics.
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3/16/2009 - Vette Z06 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 5 hours. Beautiful dark purple color. Dark cherry, leather and tobacco with some cedar to the senses. Smooth and totally enjoyable. Well balanced. Long unending finish.
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3/12/2009 - Lucasrje wrote: 92 Points
This is very nice, but it not at its peak. It is mildly closed down, though there is a suggestion of excellence that only peaks its nose through after a long time in the glass. Cherries, leather and cassis, lovely weight, but a surprisingly short finish. Will improve with a more age. I wont open another for 3-5 years.
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3/9/2009 - buckeye76 wrote: 96 Points
EARTHINESS IN THE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRIES AND CURRANTS IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A LONG FINISH.
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2/22/2009 - AdamWallstein wrote: 96 Points
Quite fantastic... the color was a remarkably youthful purple/violet with a beautiful bouquet of chipped cedar, cherry-cranberry and honeyed leather. The palate indeed was remarkably dry and just exquisitely complex and satisfying, with every sip bringing almost entirely different notions to mind from sweet tobacco smoke, to a salted, spiced, exotic cherry pie... anyway, a real treat.
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1/15/2009 - BFG wrote: 96 Points
While not yet fully mature, this wine is starting to show wonderfully. The leather and tobacco in the nose are beginning to emerge and the palate is well balanced. Tannins are present, but gentle and starting to resolve. Excellent!
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12/26/2008 - nvandyk wrote: 99 Points
Decanted two hours and served in Riedel sommelier bordeaux. Bright, clear medium ruby, good viscosity. Copious amounts of cedar and creme de cassis on both the nose and the palate...and it's in the latter area where this magnificent wine really sings. Tremendous purity of fruit but made in a style that balances earthy Bordeaux with richer, more fruit-forward wines. It's refreshing, easily drinkable, bone dry and very pure with a long finish that leaves you wanting more. This bottle went by very quickly. Marvelous and probably just entering its drinking window, where it will no doubt last for many years.
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11/19/2008 - Ricky99 wrote: 93 Points
very pretty, not huge but just a tasty glass of wine.
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7/12/2008 - EricBe wrote: 92 Points
Opened up quite nicely - I've been very disappointed by bordeaux wines of late, they too often taste tight and like an old barrel to me, but this one had nice balance.
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4/11/2008 - blanquito wrote: 96 Points
This was decanted for about an hour. Still youthful, but open and awesome now. If I only had a few, I would wait another 10 years to give this thoroughbred time to reach maturity. Great balance, class, length, a classic. The wine is rich yet dry, long yet subtle, ripe yet restrained. It got better and better in the glass, with lots of tobacco scents and cabernet fruit.
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4/2/2008 - d'Artagnan wrote: 95 Points
Magnifique nez. Très belles fraicheur et finesse, avec un équilibre souverain, aérien, sans esbroufe. Wow, un grand vin dont seule la finale n'est pas hallucinante.
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2/1/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 95 Points
HDH 95/96 Comparative Tasting (Newberry Library, Chicago IL): nose: wow, this nose just comes up and punches you in both the face and gut at the same time. This wine is not messing around at all and lets you know where you stand. Tobbacco, dark fruit, black licorice all want for you attention and are working together. This is a massive nose
taste: extremely big and concentrated. Very young on the mouth, this one is wants to break out of it's shell and scream and it's just starting to poke out. Minerals, earth, dark fruit, and anise just jump on the palate
overall: this is a big time Heavyweight boxer of a wine. It just nails all parts of the palate and has an insanely long finish. It's still a baby though as the tannin structure is still very big. This has some serious stuffing to it and hasn't yet come out of its shell. If it's this good now, I can only imagine how it'll be when it breaks out fully
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7/18/2007 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Custom House): Full rich bright black/red coffee spicy nose. Still tight, but really good stuffing - round and polished with clear breed. Hold on for another 5-10 years...
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7/18/2007 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Custom House - Chicago, IL): Deep, rich and and concentrated aromatics show pure currant fruits. Rich and full-bodied, the palate has loads of pure currant fruit that have sufficient ripeness to stand up to some significant tannic structure. Enjoyable today, but this seems to be sitting on a time bomb of complexity that'll be unleashed with further bottle age. A perfect foil to the NY strip.
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6/4/2007 - EricBe wrote: 86 Points
Maybe it's the style, but I've just been finding bordeaux wines lately to be, well, sour, and not yummy.
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4/26/2007 - d'Artagnan wrote: 96 Points
Au souper anniversaire TWA.
Wow! Quelle classe. Fin, suave, spectaculaire.
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4/12/2007 - winefool wrote: flawed
eBob Angelus vs. Leoville Las Cases Vertical (Onesixtyblue): Full red color. Big nose of red fruit with a hint of corkiness. Big black round fruit on the palate, but I don't think this was a perfect example.
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3/14/2007 - otisabdul wrote: 95 Points
Tasted at a London offline with BirDungy at The Arches. An exceptional Bordeaux that is still in its adolescence. Great purity, with a tremendous orb of density in the mid-palate. Great things lie ahead for this one.
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11/18/2006 - dwandrus wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful saturated purple crimson color, with wonderful dark cherry nose. I thought it to be nearing ready, but closed. I believe this wine to be light-bodied and modestly complex.
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7/31/2006 - 83AJ wrote: 97 Points
excellent outdoor wine...deep rich flavor but still light enough to enjoy many different apps.
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5/8/2006 - MRichman wrote:
1996 Bordeaux Horizontal: Smooth, concentrated, full. Beautiful. Silky sweet core.
A/A-
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5/5/2006 - SeaBud wrote: 97 Points
Decanted for 3+ hours. Very well balanced wine with secondary notes of cigar box and lead pencil. If you like the Leoville/St. Julien style, the vintage is worth buying. I think a few more years will improve it but it is close to being ready.
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4/27/2006 - Rupert wrote:
Lots of small tastes of some very grand wines (Royal Academy, London): Surprisingly open, bracing and juicy, lovely today [92]
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2/15/2006 - BordeauxNut wrote:
Easily the star of the dry reds -- this is a powerhouse of a wine. Some contemplated California, describing this as 'in-between'. I can see that; it certainly is ripe, round, and fleshy wine -- density without any sense of heaviness. But on the nose, there's a slightly stemmy red-current bud scent that signals Bordeaux -- I even thought it might be the 2000 LLC (too much wine by that time). Just seemless on the palate with a huge finish. Terrific today, this is going to be great. David Cramer poured this for us a few months ago and I think it showed very consistent with that bottle. This can be enjoyed today -- but, there's a lot of promise here.
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2/4/2006 - JJA wrote: 89 Points
Didn't meet my expectations. On the positive side, this wine has a beautiful nose and is elegant. However, it was very light-bodied and only modestly complex. While one could say that this is young, I'm not convinced that time will make a big difference. I hope to be proven wrong.
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10/20/2005 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
WS New York Wine Experience Grand Tastings; 10/20/2005-10/21/2005 (Marriott Marquis NYC): Full deep red/purple. Lovely forward spicy aroma of black fruit. REally nice round big black fruit on a nice firm tannic frame. Nice.
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9/10/2005 - Topper wrote: 91 Points
Hard to put a number on this one. I bought several bottles on the basis of widespread excitement about this wine. Opened the first one from a half bottle and drank it both 3 hr and 10 hr after opening. It was very structured and focused and certainly has potential but it didn't quite show it tonite. The nose was pungent and almost astringent. The taste was similar with strong black fruit flavors but accompanied by a volatile, cough drop quality. I'll hold on to what I got but hope it shows better next time. For comparison, we opened a 97 Beringer Private Reserve Cab and it was unanimously preferred to the Las Cases.
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8/3/2005 - MRichman wrote:
Leoville Las Cases in NYC (AOC Bedford): Concentrated. Sweet, lush, punchy, and smooth. Very complex. Wonderful but young.
A/A-
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7/31/2005 - archer752000 wrote: 95 Points
Very elegant wine. Dark fruits and coffee, asphalt, lead pencil, cassis.
Still an infant at this time - it already shows a lot. I love Las Cases style
and this one promises to score a very high mark in 10 years.
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6/15/2005 - BordeauxNut wrote:
I don't remember ever having tasted three different vintages of LLC in one week. There's a first time for everything. This is it! Qualitatively on par with Monday's 1986, and certainly a couple of steps ahead of the 1989. This is reasonably open -- showing about as good as one could hope on the nose -- cedar/cigar box/lead pencil and the purest cassis you can imagine. Classy comes to mind. I suspect this will gain some depth of flavor in the coming years. Better than a bottle a year ago, but still a good bit of room to improve, I suspect. I loved this. Special wine.
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1/2/2005 - BradA wrote: 96 Points
Just a massive wine with years of growth ahead. Heidi and Angel brought this and the 79 LLC for New Years. Spice, cassis, vanillan notes and massive fruit were the most noticable. Amazingly for such a powerful wine, that tannins weren't out of whack. This is a wine to look for and enjoy for decades to come! Still more upside on the scoring as the wine matures. A real treat for New Years.
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9/28/2004 - ramsesm wrote: 91 Points
I found this bottle somewhat closed. Not what I had expected. There was a bit of excitement arround this wine and it lacked the fruit the the style I was looking for. I look forward the next bottle but given what i got i will be waiting quite a bit. it was still a supperb bottle of wine.
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10/25/2003 - CSteefel wrote: 98 Points
On the nose, not quite so flamboyant and “in your face” as the Ducru, but still showing remarkable richness and finesse. No trace of those slightly barnyardy aromas appearing in most of the other Medoc (where did they go, or were they ever there?). My and some others choice for Wine Mouth of the Night. The adjective “seamless” comes to mind, but this doesn’t really do the tasting experience justice. What is really striking here is the combination of great complexity and seamless integration of rich fruit, acid, and tannin—not a single room lacking corners and angles, but really a labyrinthine series of corridors, all similarly smooth and seamless. I was reminded of Beaudelaire’s line from one of his poems (which I quote from memory): “Tout la est luxe et calme…”. Anyway, I convinced myself at least that life is too short not to drink a great LLC like this at least once. I am guessing that the aromatic complexity of this wine will continue to develop with more bottle age.
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2/22/2003 - AlexHop wrote:
Drank at Rovers. Didn't blow me away- maybe it was still tightly closed down.
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6/20/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 96 Points
Tasted at vertical Leoville-Las Cases dinner at the University Club. Bright disc, with opaque purple robe and purple rim. Clean nose, showing intense plum, anise, currants and blackberries (almost Rhone-like). Full-bodied, with ample, fairly well-integrated tannins and similar flavors as nose. Long, slightly astringent finish. This is a beautiful wine which should blossom into something really special. Needs time to show its full potential.
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