Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 31/07/2011

Tasted at Roberson’s Las-Cases vertical. This is a little disappointing on the nose, rather muffled compared to other vintages and certainly lacking the vigour and vivacity of the 1990. There are subtle touches of mulberry, sloe, graphite and saddle leather. The palate is medium-bodied with good balance, certainly at its plateau with leather, graphite and smoke. The finish has a touch of spice and again, a slight saline element at the back of the mouth. It is certainly well crafted but just lacking the joie-de-vivre or the profundity of its peers. Tasted February 2011.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 30/11/2010

Tasted at Robersons’ 1989 Bordeaux horizontal. The Leoville Las-Cases ’89 has a more youthful appearance than the Talbot ’89 tasted alongside. The bouquet is attractive, in some ways the younger brother of the ’82, well defined with smoked meat, game and even Indian spices inflecting the broody black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced and for Las-Cases, feminine and refined. Fresh red-berried fruit, a dash of pepper and a touch of austerity towards the finish, yet very natural and as elegant as Jean-Hubert himself. Whilst it is not the most complex Las-Cases, it is beginning to drink very well.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

The 1989 tasted California-like in its ripe, sweet, black cherry fruit, nicely-integrated, toasty new oak, and clean, pure winemaking style. A tighter, more compact finish is the result of elevated tannin, but this is an outstanding, rich, medium-weight Las Cases that tastes less well-endowed than I originally predicted. It is built more along the lines of the classy, elegant 1985 than the blockbuster 1982 and 1986. The wine is still youthful, with no amber at the edge of its healthy deep ruby/purple color. It will improve for another 8-12 years, and then plateau, offering very fine drinking over the subsequent two decades. I overrated this wine from cask. As appealing as I still find it, it lacks the concentration and intensity I originally thought it possessed. Last tasted 11/96

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

My notes on the 1989 and 1990 wines have been consistent over the last three years. The 1989 continues to lose ground, although it is obviously an outstanding wine, while the 1990 continues to escalate in quality. The 1989 tasted California-like in its ripe, sweet, black-cherry fruit, nicely-integrated, toasty new oak, and clean, pure winemaking style. A tighter, more compact finish is the result of elevated tannin, but this is an outstanding, rich, medium-weight Las Cases that tastes less well-endowed than I originally predicted. It is built more along the lines of the classy, elegant 1985 than the blockbuster 1982 and 1986. The wine is still youthful, with no amber at the edge of its healthy deep ruby/purple color. It will improve for another 8-12 years, and then plateau, offering very fine drinking over the subsequent two decades.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/10/1995

This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. The Merlot reveals an open-knit, forward bouquet of sweet mocha, coffee, over-ripe black-cherry fruit, and a hint of herbs. Medium-bodied and soft, it is ideal for drinking over the near-term. The Cabernet Franc exhibits a complex, cedary nose, more acidity and tannin, a medium-bodied, vibrant, lively personality, and a surprisingly short finish displaying more acidity than tannin. The outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and muscular, with a dark ruby/purple color, an emerging bouquet of cassis, earth, and cedar, full body, and tough hard tannin in the finish. The opaque purple/black-colored Petit Verdot possesses greater fruit than the outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon as well as higher tannin. This is a massive, high acid, gutsy, fleshy wine. The 1989 Leoville-Las Cases reveals a dark ruby/purple color, and a sweet, flattering nose of black fruits, minerals, lead pencil, and vanillin. This elegant, full-bodied, structured, rich Las Cases should become a classic. Its taste is more suggestive of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot than is indicated by the percentages. The Merlot (22% of the blend) exerts only minor influence in the final blend. At one time I had thought the 1989 to be superior to the 1990, but my judgment was faulty. As beautiful as this wine is, the 1990 possesses even greater stature and richness.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/10/1994

Greatest Leoville Las Cases ever produced. Superb concentration with a great velvety texture and ripe fresh flavors. Coconut and vanilla notes and a burst of fruit at the end; wonderful backbone.--The Bordeaux 50. Best after 1999.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/08/1993

The 1989 resembles a synthesis of the 1982 and 1986 in weight, texture, and character. Delon harvested his Merlot on September 5th and 6th, producing cuvees of Merlot that ranged from 13% to 14.5% alcohol. His Cabernet was harvested the 24th and 25th of September. Fifty percent of the crop was relegated to the second wine, the Clos du Marquis. Opaque deep ruby/purple, this rich wine offers a reserved yet promising bouquet of black and red fruits nicely interspersed with scents of vanillin. Very rich, opulent, long, and mouthfilling, Las Cases is packed with fruit, is medium to full-bodied, and impeccably well-balanced. Although showy and flattering after bottling, the wine has closed down and is now difficult to penetrate and assess. Given its low acidity, it should open and blossom in several years. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2020. Last tasted, 5/93.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1992

Michel Delon has produced an enthralling 1989 that in weight, texture, and character resembles a synthesis of his 1982 and 1986. Delon harvested his Merlot on September 5th and 6th, producing cuvees of Merlot that ranged from 13% to 14.5% alcohol. His Cabernet was harvested the 24th and 25th of September. Fifty percent of the crop was relegated to the second wine, the Clos du Marquis. In 1990, he demoted 63% of his production into the second wine. Opaque deep ruby/purple (one of the thickest wines in color), this superbly extracted wine has an awesome bouquet of black and red fruits nicely interspersed with scents of vanillin. Rich, opulent, long, and mouthfilling, Las Cases is packed with fruit, is large-framed, yet astonishingly well-balanced. The feel of it in the mouth and the approximately one minute finish make it taste surprisingly similar to the perfect 1982. For me, it is the second best Las Cases of the eighties, an unbelievably historic decade for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2020. Tasted four times. Consistent notes.