1994 CHÂTEAU LEOVILLE LAS CASES 1994

(01-2006)

(01-2000) Plummy coloured; low-key nose; nice fruit, the tannin on the raw side.

(01-2019) Medium ruby, first ripe tones. Nose with herbal spice, coffee and tobacco, floral notes above. The palate seems soft and round, as round as I rarely had in the glass in 1994, accessible, playful, with prominent tannins and a nice acidity, the fruit lingers pleasantly long on the finish, ends - like many 94s - slightly drying.

(11-2011) Tasted at 28-50 restaurant at the 1994 dinner. The Las-Cases ’94 has always been a strong Left Bank wine up there with the First Growths. This bottle does not quite match previous performances. It still displays impressive intensity on the nose with cedar, sous-bois, briary and a touch of wild mint that borders on menthol. The palate is medium-bodied and not quite as complex as previous bottles. It displays fine cohesion and well-judged acidity. It remains masculine and foursquare and perhaps it has its nose slightly put out of joint by the affable nature and liveliness on the finish of the Leoville Barton. Still, this has very good substance and should continue to drink well for another decade.

(08-2014) Firm, or perhaps austere is a better term for its character, there is fruit, but the wine is better on the nose, with its tobacco, earth, cedar, cassis, herbs and blackberry scents, than on the palate with its drying tannins. This is very classic in style and will appeal more to tasters convinced that Robert Parker ruined the Bordeaux of their youth. Drink now, or age it further, but you should not expect this to get better with more age.