In Bond Fine Wine. 1995 Château Leoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France. Second Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 95/100 (RP). Drinking window: 2023–2040. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases is widely regarded as one of the greatest wines of the Medoc, a top Second Growth with quality that often rivals the First Growths. Originally part of the Leoville estate before it was divided into three. Located in the northern part of Saint Julien, its walled Grand Enclos vineyard borders Chateau Latour in Pauillac, benefiting from similarly exceptional deep gravel and clay soils, yielding powerful ageworthy wines. The estate is owned and managed by the Delon family with Jean-Hubert Delon at the helm. Leoville Las Cases is typically dense and structured in its youth, requiring time to fully reveal its complexity but have recently increased the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend to enhance aromatic complexity, freshness and elegance in the blend. Las Cases has produced a string of outstanding vintages, including 1982, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2016, and…
Jane Anson (JA) — 95/100 · Inside Bordeaux, 2023-01-18 · Drink 2023-2040
A year that can get overlooked on the Left Bank compared to the (majestic at this property) 1986, but I would strongly suggest not forgetting about the 1995 Las Cases. No Petit Verdot, unusual at the time and making it more reflective of modern blends, stong salinity, with waves of oyster shell and white truffles that head towards dried roses, finely boned tannins, campfire, soot, undergrowth, bl…
Robert Parker (RP) — 95/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 01/02/1998 · Drink 2005-2025
If it were not for the prodigious 1996, everyone would be concentrating on getting their hands on a few bottles of the fabulous 1995 Leoville-Las-Cases, which is one of the vintage's great success stories. The wine boasts an opaque ruby/purple color, and exceptionally pure, beautifully knit aromas of black fruits, minerals, vanillin, and spice. On the attack, it is staggeringly rich, yet displays…