March 7, 2024 - Soft, full nose. Slightly smokey, with undertones of fruit. In the mouth, full in the beginning solid middle and easy finish. Still somewhat tannic. Like other St. Juliens lighter than say peauillic but very solid. Delightful even after 45 years.
November 23, 2023 - In the realm of enological treasures, one standout gem beckons with an allure that transcends mere taste and transcends time itself—the 1979 Château Léoville Las Cases. It is more than a libation; it is a tale woven from the vines of passion, a sensory odyssey that stirs the soul and captivates the senses, summoning memories of a bygone era and a young maiden whose knowledge of vintages was as enchanting as her spirit, and the taste of tannins on those lips.
This elixir, a vinous masterpiece born from the sun-kissed vineyards of Bordeaux, arrives as a testament to the ages, its crimson hue a symphony of ruby and garnet dancing elegantly within the glass. No, it's not a mouton but when she opens it will blow you away to reveal a bouquet that unveils a tale of its own— a delicate interplay of fragrant florals, with whispers of violet and rose petals carried upon a breeze of cedarwood and hints of leather, a testament to the passage of time and the stories held within.
Allow me to transport you back to the enchanting château, where sprawling vineyards basked in the warm embrace of the sun. Amidst this verdant splendor stood a young maiden, her essence as intoxicating as the vintages she tended to with meticulous care. Her laughter echoed through the cellars, her knowledge a treasure trove woven into the very fabric of the vineyard's history and every wine boy knew with the last name of Las Cases she was off limits.
Ah, the memories flood back as I savor the first delicate sip, an experience akin to a lover's tender embrace. The wine, like her, possesses a grace that belies its age, the initial notes teasing the palate with a symphony of dark berries, blackcurrants, and a hint of plum, a melody that lingers, weaving a tapestry of flavor that unfolds with each passing moment.
As the wine caresses the senses, one is transported to that idyllic realm where time stands still. The tannins, once bold and assertive, have mellowed with the passage of years, embracing the palate with a velvety softness that speaks of wisdom acquired through time's gentle tutelage. It’s an enigmatic dance between fruit and earth, a testament to the terroir that bore this liquid masterpiece.
With each sip, I am reminded of her—her twinkling eyes, alight with passion as she imparted the secrets of the vintages. She spoke of the challenging growing season of '79, the trials that tested the vines, and the triumph of harvest that yielded grapes of unparalleled character. Her tales, much like this wine, were steeped in history and wrapped in an air of mystery. She took my hand and as well fell among the vines with the blood moon above Ill never forget the magic of Las Cases and of this vintage.
The finish, oh, the finish! It lingers, an encore that refuses to fade, leaving behind a whisper of tobacco and a touch of graphite, a gentle reminder of the vineyard's soil and the toil of those who tended it.
This 1979 Château Léoville Las Cases is a symphony encapsulated in a bottle—a testament to the craftsmanship of the winemakers and the legacy of the land. It is a treasure, much like the young maiden who wove her passion and knowledge into the very fabric of this vintage, forever immortalized in the amber liquid that now graces my glass.
As the last drops grace my lips, I am left with a bittersweet longing—a yearning for that time and that place, where the artistry of winemaking and the spirit of adventure intertwined, leaving an indelible mark on my soul. In this wine, I found not just a vintage but an exquisite memory—a reminder of a time when passion, romance, and the pursuit of life's finer things were intertwined in a story that continues to unfold with each precious bottle uncorked.
NOTE TO SELF. DECANT ONLY ONE HOUR, THEN GLASS BY GLASS
September 23, 2023 - I thought this was very mildly corked but others did not. Either way, it showed well for the vintage and despite my detection of mild TCA, the wine’s character and quality showed through.
July 12, 2023 - I now realize I had forgotten to give this a score previously and totally forgot I had opened one of these from my cellar a couple of years ago. It was great then. I picked one to try with my sister and mom after the rest of the family left. Grilled chicken on the barbie with cauliflower au gratin from my mom, ratatouille and orzo veggie salad my sister made.
Opened and decanted shortly before dinner (maybe an hour). AMAZINGLY youthful color which darkened with time in the decanter. I cannot believe this is a 44 year old wine. Mid neck fill! Cork came out intact. Ruby color with minimal bricking. Initially the nose was a little muted but the flavor was already awesome. A tiny bit of metal and funk but not unpleasant right on initial pour. That mostly went away and the wine was incredibly complex with some mixed red currant, dried berries and tobacco, some earthiness and a medium finish. It just kept getting better but was gone at about 2 and a half hours. Amazing (unexpectedly) experience and for me the WINE OF THE WEEK after a lot of pretty interesting wines we drank as we gathered the family.
(2018 Clinet, 2010 CLG, 1978 Margaux, 1985 and 1988 Pichon Lalande, 1982 and 1988 Angelus)
Some sticky sediment on the bottle and a lot of very fine sediment at the end. Drinking the "dregs" at the end was even very pleasant. If you have this and it is well cellared, be prepared to have a wonderful experience. We still have a couple of these left!! Thanks again, dad for leaving this incredible legacy of wines. I wish you were here enjoying these with us. We miss you terribly. 97
April 25, 2023 - Tremendous showing from a bottle that looked in remarkably condition (with a fill just below the neck). It's fully mature with layers of mature cedar wood, leather, tobacco, and other Bordeaux savouriness around a core of black fruit. It still feels remarkably fresh and vibrant - there's a spine of acidity here that gives the flavours a sense of freshness - and the palate presence is remarkably silken and polished, with the tannin fully resolved and the structure here all coming from the acidity. Air brings out even more aromatic depth and complexity for a couple of hours, until the bottle's gone.
April 23, 2023 - Decanted to serve. Leather, tobacco, and dried fruit on the nose and palate. It was soft with the fruit fading in the backend. Clearly passed its prime but enjoyable.
April 1, 2023 - Opened it and seemed completely passed. Pure vinigar, even the nose was very sutle and hard to detect anything. Just 1h after I could smell the wine opening in the kitchen. Decanted it, and not much to say,pure joy, amazing. S
September 7, 2022 - Opened 2nd bottle, 1st was almost a year ago of the 1979 Vintage. See previous note.
*1st night, old house on palette and nose. It’s what to expect from a wine this old. Been stored at room temperature for about a year. Really nice and sentimental which seems to give timelessness and courage for the past and the future. Glad to have acquired a Las Cases this old. Takes me back to old abandoned houses in Alaska, Central Valley, CA from a bygone era where times forward arrow has forgotten. Old library books and comics from the 50’s and 60’s which I acquired when I was a child. Memories revisited from the most masculine expression of Bordeaux on the left bank with ages past and present imprinted and expressed.
Cheers to Alaska in the Summer when the sun never sets!
*2-3rd nights drinks even better. Nice noticeable acidity has balanced the wine even better. Briar elements, which I noticed perhaps could have been green elements long ago. Unsure. Noticed some similar notes between the two on my palette.
June 26, 2022 - Tomato leaf and woodsmoke on the nose. Similar on palette alongside dried but still juicy strawberry. Utterly beautiful colour and clarity. Some raspberry on the mid palette and finish. Hard to identify loads of different things but the whole is magnificent. Long finish. With more and more air there’s more red berry fruit. It’s picked up some weight from the 3 hours in the decanter. Still a small amount of tannin. Everything in great balance.
June 26, 2022 - Stood up for two months. A superbly cellared bottle where the ullage remains in the neck. The cork - removed fully intact - was slightly saturated with signs of residue on the top. A two hour slow oxidation followed by a one hour decant. Drank over two hours. A deep garnet core fading to a pale garnet outer edge. Beautifully perfumed and floral with dried violets, wood smoke, slow roasted tomatoes, and light Muscovado sugar. Resolved and refined - the palate is more about balance and harmony than it is individual elements. With each passing glass the wine became more concentrated and took on extra weight. A charming, classical Saint-Julien.