Léoville Las Cases - Saint-Julien 2022

Alexandre Ma

100

par Alexandre Ma le 10/03/2025

“Mystery” defines the essence of Château Léoville-Las Cases in the 2022 vintage. From the elegant violet aromas at the outset to the spicy notes of licorice and pepper at the mid-palate, and finally the graphite finish, each phase unfolds like a shifting scene in a grand panorama, with a seamless fluidity that quietly draws you into an enigmatic world. The estate’s hallmark powerful structure is enveloped in velvety tannins, evoking the sensation of biting into a high-purity chocolate wafer—crisp and bold on the outside, yet refined and luscious within. The finish reveals a complex interplay of blackberries, goji berries, and salted plums. After enduring the blazing sun of 2022, this wine has transformed into a “Lionheart King,” exuding commanding authority and majesty. It commands respect in its youth and promises to retain its awe-inspiring presence even after 60 years of aging.

Wine Advocate

100

par William Kelley le 07/03/2025

The 2022 Léoville Las Cases is just as remarkable in bottle as it was from barrel. Wafting from the glass with aromas of beautifully pure cassis fruit mingled with notions of violets, burning embers and subtle cigar box, it has already almost entirely integrated its new oak. Full-bodied, dense and layered, it's deep and resonant, with striking concentration, precision and harmony, concluding with a long, palate-staining finish. This striking Saint-Julien really is one of the wines of the vintage, and the best young Léoville Las Cases I've ever tasted.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

99

par Jane Anson le 07/03/2025

Cassis puree, bitter chocolate, so much power and intensity, with a joy and an immediacy that you rarely get in Las Cases. The tannins have a slight tug on the finish which tells you that the power of this vintage remains a little unruly, needs wrestling into place on this particular site. But hard to argue with, layered, powerful, confident, slow-moving. Arnaud Delon is joining his father at the Delon estates, and the new winery is due for completion by September 2025. 84% new oak for ageing. Eric Boissenot consultant, harvest September 8 to 30.

The Wine Cellar Insider

100

par Jeff Leve le 04/03/2025

Léoville Las Cases, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

99

par Jeb Dunnuck le 28/02/2025

A monumental wine, the 2022 Château Léoville Las Cases is seriously dense and powerful, with a locked and loaded nose of cassis, crushed stone, graphite, and remarkable mineral intensity. Focused and structured on the palate as well as full-bodied, it has fine tannins and sensational purity. The 2022 is based on 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot, brought up in a mix of new and used oak. Hide bottles for 10-15 years and it should drink beautifully over the following 40-50 years.

Yvesbeck.wine

101

par Yves Beck le 25/02/2025

83.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot Il y a des vins qui n'ont guère besoin de parler pour s'imposer. Ils sont là, scrutent l'horizon, créent le silence, et appellent à goûter studieusement, presque religieusement, pas parce qu'il s'agit de prier, mais parce qu'il est essentiel de dédier tous les sens présents aux énergies que ce vin affiche. Les notes de graphite, de myrtilles, de poivre et de cèdre annoncent la couleur. Les promesses olfactives n'ont rien d'une campagne électorale, car elles sont assumées, assimilées et concrétisées par le palais. Le vin est brillant de puissance et se montre plus contemporain qu'à l'accoutumé en créant des ouvertures, de l'accessibilité, l'instant de quelques secondes, avant d'imposer une improbable puissance qui ne remet pas seulement l'Eglise au milieu du village, mais de tout Bordeaux. S'il n'est pas tout seul au sommet de l'Olympe, il est en tout cas au-dessus de la mêlée. Un vin exceptionnel, impérial, déstabilisant, fascinant qui peinera à trouver son égal, tellement il est brillant ! Il m'est impossible de noter ce vin 100/100 car il est meilleur que tous les 2022 qui obtiennent cette note. Donc j'octroie un 101/100 pour marquer le coup. Quand on est meilleur que les meilleurs (je parle du vin, bien évidemment) il faut bien souligner la différence. 2030-2080 101/100

Vinous

99

par Neal Martin le 12/02/2025

The nascent 2022 Léoville Las-Cases, matured in 85% new oak, instantly makes an impression and vindicates my rhapsodizing from barrel. Intense yet boasting exquisite delineation, the aromatics are endowed with immense depth, retaining those estuarine nuances, hints of blue fruit, fig and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins. Stunningly balanced and poised, satin-like in texture yet with ample backbone and grip to guarantee longevity, this ranks amongst the best Grand Vins that I have tasted from Jean-Hubert Delon's Saint-Julien estate. This flirts with perfection.

Jamessuckling.com

100

par James Suckling le 03/02/2025

Sophistication and pure beauty on the nose, showing intense lead pencil, blackcurrants, ink and blackberries as well as crushed stones. Spellbinding. Medium-bodied, it grows endlessly on the palate, superb tannins caressing like the finest silk. It just keeps on coming. The character is immaculate. Ethereal. Power with elegance. 83.5% cabernet sauvignon, 10.5% cabernet franc and 6% merlot. It gives the impression you can drink it now, but it needs five to six years of bottle age. A neoclassical masterpiece. Try after 2031, but if you want to taste it now, I understand.

Vinous

98

par Antonio Galloni le 28/01/2025

The 2022 Léoville Las-Cases is a wine of tremendous substance and pure power. Even with all of its textural intensity, Léoville Las Cases remains wonderfully light on its feet. The 2022 is part of the modern series of Las Cases, wines that won’t take decades to be at their best. I especially admire its brightness, energy and drive.

Wine Spectator

97

par James Molesworth le 22/01/2025

Dark, winey and alluring, this offers a deep well of steeped black currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors that are sappy in their intensity. Sweet bay, violet, tobacco and apple wood accents fill in along the way, giving this superb range, while the long, cast iron–edged finish pulls everything to its vanishing point. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2045.

Wine Maniacs

98-99

par Lin Liu le 30/05/2023

Decanter.com

98-100

par Georgina Hindle le 25/05/2023

A luminous and utterly brilliant wine in 2022 that really sets itself apart. Hints of black bramble fruit, spicy peppercorns, violets, sweet cherries, crushed stones, ink and cocoa powder on the nose - all so very appealing. Tension and direction from the get go, this is sleek and slick, dense but such alluring coolness, with crushed stones and blueberries giving minerality as well as juicy acidity providing lift. It’s not out to shine right now, but there’s such confidence on show. Direct, slowly expanding effortlessly as it goes from start to finish, elongating the fine tannic structure that supports but doesn't overwhelm. So poised and refined, charming in a dark, utterly seductive way. Firm, but fruity, cool and calm, coming in waves. One of the wines of the vintage with striking power but delivered so perfectly with everything in balance. 3.80pH. 85 IPT. A yield of 36-37hl/ha.

Alexandre Ma

98-99

par Alexandre Ma le 17/05/2023

"Mystique" is the defining characteristic of Château Léoville Las Cases 2022. From the initial violet bouquet to the licorice and peppery spice mid-palate, culminating in a graphite-infused finish... The entire experience is seamlessly humble, subtly bringing you into a realm of mystery. Its robust body, enveloped in velvety tannins, exudes a sense of magnet with notes of blackberries, black goji berries, and salted plums. Having endured the searing sun, this wine has emerged as a fearless and indomitable "Lionheart," gallantly charging across the battlefield, unconquerable in every contest.

Vinous

98-100

par Neal Martin le 17/05/2023

The 2022 Léoville Las-Cases was picked 8-30 September with more infusion than extraction, matured in 84% new oak. Precocious, almost decadent blackberry and blueberry fruit on the nose, there is something lavish and audacious about this Saint-Julien. There is an underlying estuarine element, a whiff off the banks of the Gironde. The palate is medium-bodied with polished tannins, very detailed, extremely pure, what you might call a "vertical" Las-Cases with fabulous precision on the finish. This surpasses the 2018-2020 trio and to use that clichéd expression, is a "tour de force".

The Vintage Journal

97-98

par Andrew Caillard MW le 17/05/2023

Medium deep crimson. Violet, cassis, blackcurrant touch strawberry aromas. Richly concentrated cassis, blackcurrant flavours and fine dense chalky/ gravelly tannins. Some bittersweet notes and fresh mineral acidity. Lovely richness density and energy. A classical vintage. 83.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Cabernet Franc 6% Merlot 84% new oak 8% press wine 14.25% alc

matthewjukes.com

20

par Matthew Jukes le 15/05/2023

The Wine Independent

98-100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 15/05/2023

A blend of 83.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot, with a pH of 3.8, the 2022 Leoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of waking up before it strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of warm cassis, juicy black plums, and pencil shavings, giving way to wafts of evocative scents of iron ore, crushed rocks, wood smoke, and violets, with a hint of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate is the Taj Mahal of Cabernets, built with an amazing structure and so many intricate layers, it makes the mind spin. Youthful, crunchy black fruits and mineral sparks give way to a core of savory notes and plum preserves, intertwined with a firm backbone of exquisitely ripe tannins, and a very long, seamlessly lively finish. Wow!

Yvesbeck.wine

99-100

par Yves Beck le 10/05/2023

Las Cases se révèle avec une rare subtilité. Lui qui aime bien rapidement mettre les choses au point, il a une entrée en matière qui le mérite de surprendre… et surtout de convaincre. Les nuances de Cabernet Franc sont évidentes, au travers de notes de violettes, la fraîcheur du Cabernet Sauvignon est de toute manière plussoyée quant au merlot, malgré une représentativité d'à peine 6 % confère le charme qu'on attend de lui. En bouche Las Cases surprend également. Il affiche une évidente rondeur, dès l'attaque, mais ce n'est que pour mieux montrer ses dents par la suite !! La puissance ça ne se gomme pas, par contre ça se canalise… et heureusement cette puissance a été parfaitement domptée. L'équilibre est parfait, l'ampleur, la sucrosité, la vivacité, la finesse, le charme et la tension… et tout ça réuni ! Quel symposium de saveur, quelle logique qualitative performante, quelle aptitude à faire avancer Las Cases vers des horizons dédiés à accessibilité plus rapide qu'à l'accoutumé, tout en assurant l'extraordinaire aptitude au vieillissement que l’on connaît de Las Cases. Une des très grandes réussites du millésime.

Bettane & Desseauve

98-99

par Bettane & Desseauve le 10/05/2023

Un vin merveilleux dans son expression de terroir, sa constitution, son tannin de cèdre puissant et raffiné. Grande droiture et réussite exceptionnelle.

Jeb DUNNUCK

98-100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 10/05/2023

Looking at the Grand Vin 2022 Château Léoville Las Cases, it has an almost Pauillac-like style in its ripe, powerful aromatics of graphite, lead pencil shavings, cassis, and liquid rock-like minerality. Full-bodied, massively concentrated, and powerful on the palate, it nevertheless stays flawlessly balanced, has just about off-the-charts purity, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This will clearly rank with the truly greats from this address and reminds me slightly of a mix of the 2016 and 2018. It is not, however, going to be for those looking for instant gratification.

Vinous

98-100

par Antonio Galloni le 09/05/2023

The 2022 Léoville Las Cases is stunning. Fine-grained and nuanced, the 2022 Las Cases is breathtaking. Red/purplish fruit, rose petals, lavender, spice and mocha open gradually but what impresses most about the 2022 is its sublime finesse. Silky, plush and exceptionally beautiful, the 2022 Las Cases is shaping up to be one of the wines of the year. Drinking window : 2030-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2023

Inky in color, the wine is all about its full-body, intensity, levels of concentration, and sense of purity. The wine starts off with violets, cassis, blackberries, Cuban cigar wrapper, ash, smoke, licorice, and mint. On the palate, the levels of concentration are readily apparent. Yet, even with all its depth of flavor, there is refinement, lift, and complexity that requires time and effort to unfurl. The fruit is uncommonly rich in the mid-palate the tannins are strong, ripe and firm. The seamless finish, with its wall of rich, black and blue fruit hits the 60 second mark with ease. As always, Leoville Las Cases requires bottle aging. But, with 2022, my guess is the wine will start to shine after a decade of age, evolving and improving for 40-50 years with ease. Produced from a blend 83.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. 14.25% ABV. 3.80 pH. Harvesting took place September 8 - September 30. Yields were 36 hectoliters per hectare. This is only the second time in the history of the estate that you find more Cabernet Franc than Merlot in the blend. Drink from 2030-2065.

Wine Advocate

98-100

par William Kelley le 02/05/2023

One of the wines of the vintage this year is the 2022 Léoville Las Cases, a monument in the making that combines unerring classicism with unusual sensuality and charm by the standards of this estate's sometimes youthfully forbidding wines. Exhibiting deep aromas of dark berries, violets, pencil lead, rose petals and tobacco leaf, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with terrific concentration, beautiful purity of fruit, abundant but refined tannins and a long, vibrant finish. On the several occasions that I tasted it, the 2022 was surprisingly open for a young Las Cases, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were to shut down after a few years in bottle. It's a blend of 83.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot.

Jamessuckling.com

99-100

par James Suckling le 19/04/2023

This shows no gravity. The tannins are totally melted in the wine and give it fantastic structure, but the texture is so fresh and vivid. Crushed stone. Cloves. Chinese spices. Great finish. Opening and flying away. Orange peel. Very special. Thought-provoking. Endless. 83.5% cabernet sauvignon, 10.5% cabernet franc and 6% merlot.