2005 Château Léoville Las Cases
Community Tasting Note
platpeeps Likes this wine:
98 Points
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - Savoury dark fruits overlaid a firm backbone reinforced with a fine tannic structure. Seasoned with spice this transformed on the mid-palate to an elegant mocha finish. What lifted this from the crowd was its sheer elegance and laser-like focus. Complex yet still a little shy and retiring, it is the epitome of precision. Aristocratic, and one of the most outstanding clarets I have ever tasted. CHP 98 pts
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7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (1,768 views)
7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (1,768 views)
Comment posted by djhammond:
4/11/2024 11:31:00 AM - This must have been some dinner! Re this wine, I have a case, but have assumed I was going to have to wait a few more years. In your opinion it is ready to go? Interestingly, I have recently found that some 2005s are coming around earlier than their 2000 counterparts.
Comment posted by platpeeps:
4/15/2024 5:23:00 AM - I sampled this at my tasting group, the Mercian, last Tuesday night. The line up was: 2005 Branaire-Ducru, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Leovilles Poyferre, Barton & Las-Cases, Cos d'Estournel & Angelus; 2009, 1996 & 1995 Pichon Lalande; 1995 Leoville Barton & Latour. The notes have been posted on this website.
Specifically to answer your question. The Las-Cases is ready, but just about. Decant it a couple of hours in advance. It will get better and better as the years roll by. Funnily enough at a tasting in February I sampled the 1982 Las-Cases and that still had plenty more left in the tank, and may arguably improve. It's a fantastic property and makes a claret in the style I wholeheartedly endorse.
As for drinkability compared to 2000, I must confess I haven't tasted a 2000 for sometime now so can't be regarded as an authoritative source, save that the top 2005s are only just coming round and will continue to improve over the next decade or two. What I can say though is that the 2009 Pichon Lalande was surprisingly approachable compared to the 2005s, but it still has a very long life ahead. Thanks for your comment. Clive
Comment posted by djhammond:
4/15/2024 7:22:00 AM - Many thanks Clive.