Leoville Las Cases 2011

This shows so much spice and berry character on the nose. Focused and beautiful. Full body with a clearly outstanding core of fruit and polished tannins. The finish lasts for minutes. Reminds me of the superb 1996. Try in 2020.

One of the thrilling successes of the vintage is, not surprisingly, the 2011 Leoville Las Cases. Analytically, this ripe wine has statistical numbers that are almost identical to their 2010. The fruit was cropped at 27 hectoliters per hectare, the wine aged in 80% new French oak, and the final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc came in at 13.4% natural alcohol. It boasts an opaque inky/purple color along with gloriously pure aromas of creme de cassis, black raspberries, vanillin and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with abundant glycerin and ripe but noticeable tannin, this beauty is potentially one of the longest lived and finest wines of the vintage. It should be drinkable in 5-6 years and last for 2-3 decades.

The Grand Vin is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc cropped at just 27hl/ha and raised in 80% new oak. It has a comparatively opulent bouquet compared to its peers with sumptuous blackberry, wild strawberry, minerals and cedar, offering touches of Margaux-like floral notes with continued aeration. The palate is full-bodied with good grip and is certainly a Saint Julien with great substance considering the vintage although it does not quite fan out on the finish a la 2009 or 2010. But it is very composed and well balanced with some very pure blackberry, boysenberry and spicy notes lingering long in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted April 2012.