Château Léoville Las Cases Saint-Julien 2020 - 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:

This 2020 vintage from Léoville Las Cases borders on perfection. Nothing here feels out of place; everything seems in perfect harmony, promising a long—very long—life. The color possesses a density and depth that command respect. Admittedly a bit austere at this stage, the nose hints at its future complexity; upon aeration, one detects pure, fresh fruit, tinged with sweet spices, cedar, licorice, and graphite. The palate conveys an impression of extraordinary power and firmness, yet a firmness without harshness: what predominates is a sensation of elegance, metronomic precision, silkiness, and above all, exceptional freshness. A true classic in the timeless sense of the word. 2030–2048

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 estate:

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

About the wine:

Las Cases 2020 is a wine of superlative depth and richness, but above all, exceptional clarity. It washes over the palate in successive waves that seem to go on forever. Its immense tannic structure is perfectly balanced and blends into the finish with absolute precision.

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:

A linear, very distinguished wine with exceptionally refined tannins that linger throughout the finish. Superb. It is full-bodied, yet very precise and refined, with remarkable length and intensity. Lots of currants and graphite. Very elegant and refined. The new 1996. Give it 6 to 7 years to come into its own.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A refined nose with notes of blueberries, Asian spices, soy sauce, star anise, and mountain air. Very elegant on the palate: supple yet structured, concentrated yet juicy. Already very harmonious and will remain so for decades. A beautiful finish; one feels as though they can sense the gravelly terroir throughout the finish. 2028–2062

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Favorite . With an eye on the power of Pauillac yet firmly rooted in the elegant classicism of Saint-Julien, Léoville Las Cases once again, without fanfare, asserts its haute couture style. The wine’s profile is superb: slender, deep, and finely chiseled. The palate, focused and racy, bursts forth in a bouquet of juicy fruit, set with pixelated tannins, structured around superb tension. Behind its apparent austerity lies a great wine of place and precision, meditative and distinctive, marked by a texture of exceptional clarity and definition. Promises excellent aging potential.

Yves Beck