2005 Léoville-Las Cases, St-Julien

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Ryan Moses

Ryan Moses

I've been fortunate enough recently to run across a few vintages of Léoville-Las Cases, some dating back to the '50s. What they all have in common is that they are consistently thrilling examples of ageworthy Bordeaux that never fail to impress. Such is the case with the undeniable 2005, a wine that is just entering the early stages of a drinking window that will carry on for decades. There's a precision and refinement that keeps you coming back to the glass, and it is a wonderful tribute to both the estate and what the vintage can accomplish at its best. Simply stunning and one that I hope to get the chance to revisit again sometime down the road.

Notes

97 points Neal Martin in Vinous: "The 2005 Léoville–Las Cases is a wine that needs more time. The nose remains broody compared to the 2007, but is an absolute joy, featuring brambly red fruit, tobacco, smoke, morels and light estuarine scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that have become more supple over the last couple of years. There is wonderful depth and gentle grip, superb balance and a sense of symmetry on the finish that is quite brilliant. I suspect this will turn out to be one of the château’s greatest achievements of recent years." (12/2019) 97+ points Robert Parker for Wine Advocate: "This is a prodigious effort. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc (only 37% of the crop qualified for Las Cases), this dense ruby/purple wine has a stunningly pure bouquet of dark fruit, wet rocks, graphite, and subtle background toast/vanillin. Full-bodied, masculine, and very deep and concentrated, this titanic effort is at least 8-10 years away from its plateau of maturity. The Delon family have produced another legend. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2050+." (06/2015)