2020 Château Léoville Las Cases

The 2020 Léoville Las Cases has developed into a powerhouse. Then again, that is Las Cases. En primeur, I thought the 2020 was a bit shy, but its true personality has to emerge. Blackberry jam, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, espresso and plum all saturate the palate. Vivid and explosive, the 2020 is dizzyingly rich, with plenty of Las Cases tannins that will require patience. I am not sure when the 2020 will be ready to drink, but it won't be anytime soon. Las Cases is one of the wines of the vintage in 2020, that much is pretty clear.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2022)

A linear and very racy wine with super fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Superb. It’s full-bodied yet really focused and polished with a length and intensity. Lots of currants and graphite. Very classy and fine. The new 1996. Give it six to seven years to come around. (11/2023)

Another 2020 that's going to demand patience, the 2020 Château Léoville Las Cases is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot that was raised in 80% new French oak. It's a regal, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, flawlessly balanced 2020 with a pure core of cassis and darker currant fruits, a layered, seamless mouthfeel that carries substantial tannins, perfectly integrated oak, and subtle floral, mineral, and leafy herb nuances. Playing in the concentrated yet focused and structured style of the vintage, it's going to need a decade to hit the early phases of its prime drinking window and will have 50-75 years of longevity. (03/2023)

Made from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Merlot, the 2020 Leoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, it erupts from the glass with explosive scents of blackcurrant cordial, stewed blackberries, juicy blackberries, and violets, leading to suggestions of licorice, cinnamon toast, and fertile loam with a touch of truffles. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with loads of nuanced black fruit, earthy, and floral layers, supported by very fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and multi-layered. (03/2023)

Sleek and slightly austere in feel, with a cold cast iron note framing a core of tightly compressed cassis, plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Shows subtle flashes of tobacco and smoldering charcoal, as the finish lingers with verve. A stoic red. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2030 through 2045.

- J.M.