2020 Leoville Las Cases
By Chateau Leoville Las Cases
2020 Leoville Las Cases from Chateau Leoville Las Cases, St-Julien, Bordeaux
The considerable talents of the winemakers at Chateau Leoville Las Cases have once again manifested magnificently in the 2020 Leoville Las Cases. As one delves into this youthful vintage, the hallmarks of St-Julien terroir are as evident as ever, yet with distinct elements that set this year apart in a lineage of exceptional vintages.
A Vintage Shaped by the Elements
The climatic ballet of 2020 posed unique challenges across Bordeaux, with a damp start to the year followed by a remarkably dry and sunny spell. The adept team's prowess ensured that these conditions served only to benefit the vineyards of Chateau Leoville Las Cases. Careful vineyard management balanced moisture stress and yielded grapes whose potpourri of complexities promised a stunningly multifaceted wine.
Meticulous Craftsmanship Meets Investment Calibre
Upon tasting, the 2020 Leoville Las Cases suggests a structure poised for longevity. Engaging layers of ripe cassis and black cherries flirt with an undercurrent of graphite and hints of spice. There is a seamless integration of new French oak which champions both subtlety and depth—a remarkable testament to meticulous craftsmanship.
The tannins, while asserting their presence, are woven into the tapestry of the wine with a finesse that predicts outstanding maturation potential—an attribute investors should heed closely when considering the long-term prospects of this esteemed vintage.
When staged against its forebears, the 2020 offers a firm nod towards classicism but does not shy away from showcasing its individuality; it is elegant yet bold, measured yet expressive—a vinous paradox that challenges and excites in equal measure.
In Summary: The Singular Character of 2020
As fine wine investors consider their collectables, the 2020 Leoville Las Cases stands as a prime treasure, offering both sensorial enjoyment and investment robustness. This vintage reinforces the legacy of Chateau Leoville Las Cases within St-Julien and indeed Bordeaux—continuing to sketch indelible notes in the annals of epicurean history while projecting confidence in its climb towards enological eminence.
Market price (USD)
$2,669.89
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
128.65
Scores and tasting notes
The 2020 Léoville Las Cases is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot, aging in 80% new French oak barriques, weighing in with an alcohol of 13.68%, a pH of 3.8 and an IPT (tannins index) of 79. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from the 21st to the 27th of September, the Merlot from the 12th to the 15th of September and the Cabernet Franc on the 18th and 19th of September. With an opaque purple-black color, it slowly unfurls to reveal beguiling notes of fresh blackcurrants, Morello cherries, candied violets and dark chocolate, giving way to an undercurrent of crushed rocks, unsmoked cigars, clove oil and fragrant earth. The medium-bodied palate is a powerhouse of energy, delivering tightly wound red and black fruits, mineral and floral layers, supported by fantastic tension and incredibly ripe, silt-like tannins. The finish has jaw-dropping fragrance and depth.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 20 May 2021