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Tasting Group Dinner - Léoville Las Cases
Dave's House
Tasted April 29, 2009 by Siggy with 540 views
Introduction
Dave Dalluge, Craig Vanderah, Chris Larson, Mark Patton, and I gathered at Dave's house to taste through a mini-vertical of Léoville Las Cases. Dave prepared an amazing meal of grilled lamb, polenta, haricots verts, and flourless chocolate almond cake. Unfortunately I didn't taste a couple of additional bottles: the '04 LLC (which most people loved, and preferred to the '01), and the '88 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle (which I think Dave and Chris had as WOTN). Thanks to Dave for hosting and to everyone for a fun evening.
Flight 1 (8 notes)
Red
1955 Château Léoville Las Cases
Some VA on the nose. A few signs of life here -- plummy fruit and brown sugar/spice -- but pretty far over the hill.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Michel Arnould & Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve
91 points
Pungent citrus nose. Crisp red apple flavors -- fresh, lively, and fragrant. Smooth, with a long finish. Very solid value at $30.
Red
1995 Château Léoville Las Cases
93 points
Double decanted about 3 hours. Smoky dark fruit, coffee/espresso. Huge structure; dense, tannic, and brooding. Tightened up considerably in the glass. Promising but at least 5 years away from being approachable.
Red
1996 Château Léoville Las Cases
94 points
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.
Red
2001 Château Léoville Las Cases
91 points
Very ripe and plummy, especially when tasted next to the '95 and '96. Primal and showing a lot of oak. Some buttered popcorn and lots of sweet dark fruit. This seems to have lots of underlying stuffing and structure, and should be terrific once the baby fat burns off. Revisit in 5+ years.
Red
1978 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasted blind. I guessed mid/late '80s La Chapelle. Dark maroon/ruby color with a watery rim that hints at this wine's 30+ years of age. Plummy fruit, Band-Aid, cherries, and leather, with some VA lurking in the background. Silky texture. A touch past full maturity, and still quite interesting.
Red
1988 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasted blind; I guessed mid/late '80s La Chapelle. Lively, complex, and lightly funky on the nose, featuring a melange of purple flowers/lilacs, cherries, and black pepper, framed by just a touch of Beaucastel funk. Good acidity and fruit. Linear, with a long finish. Mature (but not over-the-hill) and quite delicious.