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Michel Delon, the proprietor of this renowned second-growth (first-growth in quality, however) stated that if the rain had not arrived when it did, he was, "convinced 1994 would have been the greatest vintage of the century." Leoville Las-Cases produced a modest 45 hectoliters per hectare, with the older vines producing an average of 20 hectoliters per hectare. Only 40% of the harvest was utilized in the grand vin. The 1994 is a classic Las Cases, with the sweetness, fleshiness, and richness of such great Las Cases as 1990, 1985, and 1982, as well as the structure, power, and tannic definition of the classic, backward, vin de garde 1986. The wine displays a nearly opaque dark ruby/purple color, and the tell-tale Las Cases nose of vividly pure blackcurrants, minerals, and subtle new oak. There is great flavor extraction, superb balance and purity, and moderate to high tannin in the finish. It is a wine of exceptional intensity and texture, which is remarkable given its medium body. Because of the low acidity, it should be approachable by age five and last for 25-30 years. Drink: 2000-2025.
Michel Delon, the proprietor of this renowned second-growth (first-growth in quality, however) stated that if the rain had not arrived when it did, he was, "convinced 1994 would have been the greatest vintage of the century." Leoville Las-Cases produced a modest 45 hectoliters per hectare, with the older vines producing an average of 20 hectoliters per hectare. Only 40% of the harvest was utilized in the grand vin. The 1994 is a classic Las Cases, with the sweetness, fleshiness, and richness of such great Las Cases as 1990, 1985, and 1982, as well as the structure, power, and tannic definition of the classic, backward, vin de garde 1986. The wine displays a nearly opaque dark ruby/purple color, and the tell-tale Las Cases nose of vividly pure blackcurrants, minerals, and subtle new oak. There is great flavor extraction, superb balance and purity, and moderate to high tannin in the finish. It is a wine of exceptional intensity and texture, which is remarkable given its medium body. Because of the low acidity, it should be approachable by age five and last for 25-30 years. Drink: 2000-2025.
This great estate, run with extraordinary passion and brilliance by Michel Delon, has once again turned in superlative efforts - wines that are unquestionably of first-growth quality. The 1994 is one of the top ten wines of the vintage. It possesses a degree of opulence, fat, and intensity that is rarely found in a 1994 Medoc. The opaque purple color is followed by extraordinarily pure, cassis, vanillin, and spice aromas that will develop into something even more complex. The wine is full-bodied, with layers of highly extracted, well-balanced and well-defined fruit and structure. Tannic and backward, it should reach maturity in a decade and last for 20-30 years. The 1994 Las Cases is one of the great successes of the vintage. All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux. Drink: 1996-2026.
Michel Delon, a great man, is the consummate proprietor, meticulously administering this vast estate spread out along the St.-Julien/Pauillac border, separated from Latour's finest vineyard by a mere ten feet. The 1993-95 vintages from Delon are brilliant wines. Leoville-Las-Cases remains one of the irrefutable reference points for high class Bordeaux. One of the more massive Medocs of the vintage, this opaque purple-colored wine exhibits fabulous richness and volume in the mouth. Layers of pure black-cherry and cassis fruit are intermixed with stony, mineral-like scents, as well as high quality toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a sweet, rich entry, this wine possesses plenty of tannin, yet fabulous extract and length. Leoville-Las-Cases is one of the half-dozen great wines of the Medoc in 1994. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. This lion never falls asleep on the job!
St Julien is like the middle child of the Médoc - not as assertive as Pauillac or as coquettish as Margaux. It lies firmly between the two more outspoken communes and as a result produces a blend of them both. St Julien's wines have often been sought out by aficionados for their balance and consistency, particularly in the UK. Yet due to its middle child nature, it can occasionally be overlooked globally and as a result underrated by those markets outside the UK. Despite the fact that it has no first growths, it has several second growths including Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Barton, Léoville Poyferré and Ducru Beaucaillou as well as the celebrated châteaux such as Talbot and Beychevelle.
