Château Léoville Las Cases Saint-Julien 2014 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Undoubtedly the closest second growth, and for many vintages now—provided the cork doesn’t let it down—on par with the finest first growths. It owes its class and consistency to the plot-by-plot selection that allows it to be produced on the large vineyard adjacent to that of Château Latour, and to an exemplary perfectionism initiated by Michel Delon in the 1980s and fully carried forward by his son Jean-Hubert. The finesse and subtlety of its flavor have few equals in the world, yet the wine is kind enough to open up more quickly than in the past. The younger vines yield the Petit-Lion, lighter in style but no less elegant, and the rest of the estate produces the remarkable Clos-du-Marquis, whose value for money remains as astonishing as ever.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Cabernet Sauvignon (79%), Cabernet Franc (11%), and Merlot (10%) have produced a wine with a deep, rich color. The complex bouquet reflects a long aging process (sixteen months in new barrels, 85% of which were new) with toasted and vanilla notes, allowing the grapes to express themselves through aromas of wild berries. The palate, full-bodied and velvety, possesses excellent balance and a structure that is both solid and elegant. Its aromas of black fruit and spices linger in a richly textured finish. A consummate example of a Saint-Julien.

About the estate:

Las Cases not only owns 98 hectares—three-fifths of the former Léoville estate (which was divided between 1826 and 1846 to create the three Léoville estates known today)—but the estate also encompasses the historic heart of the vineyard, the Grand Clos. Nearly 60 hectares planted on fine gravel resting deep on sandy-clay gravel, near Latour and the Gironde, complemented by the current Clos du Marquis. Added to this advantage is the fact that it has been managed since 1900 by the same family, the Delons (now Jean-Hubert), who have equipped it, particularly since 2002, with state-of-the-art facilities.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A brilliant effort, the 2014 Léoville Las Cases is a well-crafted classic that will delight purists. Blending aromas of black berries and blackcurrant with notes of dark chocolate, sweet spices, cigar paper, pencil shavings, and soft new oak, it is medium-bodied to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with tart notes and a deep, firm mid-palate framed by rich, powdery tannins. Finishing with a long, penetrating finish, the only missing ingredient is time. 2028–2070

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

With impressive body, but above all a freshness on the palate that gives it a lively character, this 2014 is a Las Cases of great refinement, carried by a magnificent finish.

About the estate:

The strength of this legendary vintage undoubtedly lies in its famous vineyard, with its complex terroir and diverse, complementary plots. Indeed, the grand cru is produced exclusively from this terroir, which in many ways resembles that of Château Latour. Depending on the vintage, it may exhibit a more straightforward, Pauillac-style profile or, conversely, display a softer expression more reminiscent of a Saint-Julien. The wine consistently displays an impressive blue-black color, even in average vintages. At its peak (which can extend beyond twenty years), it offers a bouquet that surpasses that of a typical Saint-Julien in both complexity and nobility of flavors, featuring the finest aromatic nuances of Cabernet Sauvignon from the great Médoc terroirs. Owned by Jean-Hubert Delon, one of Bordeaux’s finest connoisseurs of great French wines, this cru has demonstrated unfailing consistency since the 1970s.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About the wine:

I love the aroma of blackberries, blueberries, flowers, and citrus. Notes of stone and wet earth. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are so long and smooth. Incredible length. A wine you’ll want to drink right now.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

An intense garnet red with purple highlights. The bouquet is intense and complex, marked by fruit and spices such as vanilla and cinnamon. Alluring notes of prunes, blackberries, and blackcurrants, followed by a refreshing hint of mint. I also detect typical notes of cedar and tobacco. The palate is elegant, powerful, and fruity. The body is full, creamy, and endowed with a refined structure that perfectly supports the fruit. The tannins emerge very slowly and are perfectly integrated. Grainy in texture, they possess the necessary substance to complement the lively structure. A truly great wine, made to age and one that requires patience. A very fine achievement. 2024–2049

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, aromatic, precise, refined, and "vibrant." It features notes of fresh red berries combined with subtle hints of tart blueberry candy, flowers (cornflower and a touch of violet), as well as subtle notes of spice, cedar, and gray pepper. The palate is fresh, fruity, refined, subtle, rich, beautifully structured, elegant, straightforward, indulgent, and light. On the palate, there are notes of crushed strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. The tannins are fine, elegant, and silky. The finish is smooth. A lovely, fruity, rich, and indulgent wine.