2003 Leoville Las Cases
By Chateau Leoville Las Cases
2003 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases, St-Julien, Bordeaux
The 2003 vintage in Bordeaux was one for the books, a year of extremes where the blazing summer sun challenged both vines and vignerons. The 2003 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases stands as a testament to the resilience and skill found in St-Julien. The profound heat of the season is encapsulated in each glass, where density and power meet elegance—a balance only the best terroirs can achieve under such conditions.
Understanding an Atypical Year
The summer of 2003 was marked by scorching temperatures, pushing the boundaries of winemaking in Bordeaux. Yet, amidst this fiery cauldron, Chateau Leoville Las Cases managed a vintage of exceptional quality. It showcases how stellar vineyard management can subdue even the most severe climactic adversities. The wine's depth and structure are to be celebrated, underscoring the meticulous care that Chateau Leoville Las Cases took in managing their grand vines.
An Exceptional Offering From St-Julien
This offering from the heralded left bank region stands out in its concentration and poise. There is a core of ripe blackcurrant, overlaid with hints of tobacco and earth, enrobed in seamlessly integrated tannins that have mellowed beautifully across the years. Its maturation journey reveals a delicate complexity beneath the robust exterior forged by the heatwave year.
The 2003 Leoville Las Cases reflects its unique birthyear with a rich palette of flavours not commonly associated with Bordeaux’s cooler climes. For fine wine investors and collectors alike, it presents an intriguing chapter in vinous history—a remarkable illustration of an estate rising above environmental challenges to create something truly spellbinding.
This vintage aptly demonstrates why Chateau Leoville Las Cases maintains its stellar reputation among Bordeaux’s elite. Its harmony and elegance, derived against all climatic odds, secures its place as one of the most fascinating and investable wines to grace cellars worldwide.
In summary, those seeking to diversify their portfolio would do well to consider this remarkable vintage. The 2003 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases delivers not just a fascinating sip from an extraordinary year but also raises expectations for St-Julien wines under extreme conditions.
Market price (USD)
$1,920.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
92.94
Scores and tasting notes
This is more exotic and monstrous than the 2000. It is like a muscle builder, with lots of round and rich tannins and a core of dark fruits like black cherries and blueberries. Still very young, but structured and in need of five more years. Don’t touch this until 2015.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, May 1st 2012
An incredibly fresh, lively 2003 (the pH is only 3.6 and the alcohol is 13.1%), this wine offers a dense ruby/purple color along with full body and a remarkable nose of black currants, kirsch, lead pencil shavings and vanilla. Opulent, full-bodied and close to full maturity, it is a seamless classic that will age for 15-20 more years. Kudos to the Delon family for such a brilliant achievement in a tricky vintage.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 27 August 2014
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's "10-Year On" tasting in London. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Las-Cases has the most complex nose of the three Leovilles with beautifully defined blackberry, wild hedgerow, leather and black truffle scents that waft seductively from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of pure dark cherry and boysenberry fruit stuck through by a keen thread of acidity. This is very composed, very animated with a long, sensual finish. Superb. Tasted March 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013
The solidly made 2003 Leoville Las-Cases (13.2% alcohol) is a blend of 70.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.2% Merlot, and 12.6% Cabernet Franc. In this incredibly hot vintage, the alcohol is slightly lower than achieved in 2002, a cool-climate year. While not a profound example of Las-Cases, the 2003 is muscular, deep, and full-bodied with an impressive ruby/purple color, a tight but juicy bouquet of vanilla, black cherries, crushed rocks, and flowers, a sweet attack, and moderately high tannin. Backward and fresh, displaying impeccable delineation and purity, it can be enjoyed between 2012-2023.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #164 April 2006