Vintage 1999
A.O.C. Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
Château Léoville Las Cases is the most legendary wine of Saint-Julien: on a quality par with the Haut-Médoc‘s first growths (being situated next door to Latour), without the hefty price premium to match.
It is also one of the largest, oldest and most picturesque of the district’s classified growths, and used to be even bigger: encompassing two other present day growths: Leoville Poyferre and Leoville Barton.
The man largely responsible for Léoville’s success was the late Michel Delon who acquired the estate in 1950, and who consistently made the best wine in the Haut-Médoc in the last two decades. Today, the estate is managed by his son, Jean-Hubert, who looks set to continue the great work of his peerless father.
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“The ’99 retains a rather backward nose of cigar box, cedar and undergrowth, here with a faint touch of rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied and well defined though remaining stubborn and backward. Yet there is a lovely silky texture and over time it loosens its tie and develops intriguing honeyed notes towards an increasingly plush finish. The ’99 may merit a higher score in a couple of years.” eRobertParker.com (Jul 2011)
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Code: 100016
Optimum Drinking Period: 2006-2022
Robert Parker: 91
Wine Spectator: 94
Stephen Tanzer: 92
