Château Léoville Las Cases - Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classé) 2012 (750ml)

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Price: $269.99

Producer	Château Léoville Las Cases
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Saint-Julien
Varietal	Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Vintage	2012
Sku	111623
Size	750ml
ABV	13.70%

Château Léoville Las Cases Description

One of the oldest Medoc estates, Domaine de Léoville belonged to some of the wealthiest and most influential noble French families before it was acquired by the Las Cases family. The estate was split up between 1826 and 1840 as a result of the French Revolution. (Expropriation of emigrants’ property and constitution of egalitarian redistribution). Château Léoville Las Cases was created, thanks to a kind of birthright, from 3/5 of the original estate and the heart of the domain.

The Grand Vin’s current terroir has therefore been at the historic heart of the original terroir since the 17th century. Pierre Jean, Adolphe and Gabriel de Las Cases were successive heirs to the property until 1900, when Théophile Skawinski purchased a share in the estate and became its manager. Léoville Las Cases has now been managed by the same family since the late 19th century and is today represented by Jean-Hubert Delon, sole owner of the Château and proprietor of Château Potensac in the Medoc and Château Nénin in Pomerol.

These terroirs are located further west and surrounded by prestigious Crus Classés (Classifi ed Growths) including Second Growths from the Saint- Julien and Pauillac appellations: Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The Clos du Marquis thus displays typical Saint-Julien characteristics: structure, complexity, balance, distinction and great ageing potential.

WE96

Wine Enthusiast

This combines considerable power and concentration with rich, impressive fruits. It has both style and elegance, with density to give it great aging potential. The tannins are firm while also having a velvet texture. The wine, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, is for serious aging. Drink from 2025. Cellar Selection.

JD95

Jeb Dunnuck

Standing out for its sheer purity and class, the 2012 Leoville-Las Cases is about as seamless as they come, with medium to full-bodied richness, fabulous notes of crème de cassis, cedary spice, plums, spice and wood smoke, with its oak component pushed well into the background. While not a blockbuster, it is impeccably balanced, with a full, layered mid-palate, building tannin and a rock-solid finish. Give this straight up classy 2012 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following two decades or more.

WS94

Wine Spectator

This is among the tightest wines at this early stage, with a wall of smoldering charcoal holding the core of dark plum, blackberry paste and cassis in reserve. The sleek finish shows admirable length and a mouthwatering echo of iron. This harnesses the austerity of the vintage to its advantage, and should unwind slowly in the cellar.

RP93

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The bigger sister or brother of Le Petit Lion, depending on your point of view, the 2012 Leoville Las Cases has gorgeous minerality, plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit that is super-pure, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and firm structured, slightly austere personality. This wine is built for the long-term. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it attained 13.5% alcohol, which is substantial for a 2012 Médoc. It has depth and richness, but also a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink over the following 15-20.

JS93

James Suckling

So pure on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries and licorice. Hints of stones. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and a long and racy finish. Layered tannins. Citrusy undertones. Bright acidity. Better in 2019.

WW93

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

The 2012 Château Léoville Las Cases continues to evolve as a wine between the First Growths and Super Seconds (top quality Second Growths). Over the past two decades, the wines have shown more power than I could have ever imagined would have come out of Saint-Julien—some would argue that since Léoville Las Cases is only a stone's throw from Château Latour, it should be considered more like a powerful Pauillac. While this vintage shows plenty of black fruits and richness, there is elegance here that is very becoming of this wine. (Tasted: April 9, 2013, Saint-Julien, France) barrel sample: 91-93

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