2005 Château Léoville Las Cases
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Friday, November 17, 2023 - Raspberry seed, leather, earthy funk, and a bit of haunted house closet dust make for a Las Cases that seems a bit older than its vintage would indicate. The initial pull was a bit balled up, but it relaxed after an hour or so…kinda…
I experienced a push-pull of expansion here, with the tertiary flavors seemingly clamping down on the fruit, but then scurrying away to allow some interesting macerated black cherry notes poke through. Finishes somewhat angular, with a tannic element creeping up in the back end. A wine yearning for food pairing.
There’s part of me that feels like this is past its prime, but another part of me wonders if this just needs to smooth out its edges over the next 5+ years and see what becomes if it. For my palate, I’d like a little more fruit intensity to balance out the other elements. Score higher if you are more a friend to the funkafied. I know diehard fans will say I need to revisit this in 2040. I’ll leave that in others’ capable hands. Enjoy!
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7 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by novocane:
11/17/2023 5:12:00 PM - leoville Barton was typically made with huge tannins and 2005 was a year of bold, voluptuous and long lasting wine. Id be very surprised if it’s anywhere near mature now.
Comment posted by csimm:
11/17/2023 9:37:00 PM - I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for in the wine. Personally I’ve only been moderately impressed with that vintage, especially for Left Bank. More recent vintages of 09/10/15/16/18/19/20 have all been cleaner and more interesting to me personally. But that’s just me.
Comment posted by WineGuyDelMar:
11/18/2023 6:56:00 PM - 05 is turning out not to bea classic vintage. By the time the tannins subside it is questionable how much fruit remains. I wouldn’t buy anymore 05 LB. Leoville Barton is nothing like Las Cases which is much more elegant & finesse.
Comment posted by csimm:
11/19/2023 8:13:00 AM - Agree on all counts WineGuy. I’ve personally moved away from LB, but Cases I still enjoy depending on vintage. For me, 05 isn’t a showstopper, but I know others favor it.
Comment posted by WineGuyDelMar:
11/19/2023 9:31:00 AM - Las Cases has been 1st Growth quality since the 80’s. There are no vintages where Barton is better than Las Cases. Ducru & Cos have closed the gap on LasCases but I always find it elegant. Montrose isn’t in that league either.
Comment posted by novocane:
11/19/2023 9:36:00 AM - LLC is an excellent wine, and in good years performs like a first growth. Barton is made differently with huge tannins and can be harsh without enough age, especially in a vintage like 2005. The st Estephe offerings tend to also be bolder and heavy tannins, but imo Montrose is the best of St Estephe and like LLC, rivals the first growths in the best years.
Comment posted by WineGuyDelMar:
11/19/2023 3:47:00 PM - 89 & 90 Montrose were some of the best wines I ever had.