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Vintage | Wine 1981 |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Saint Julien |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 1.50 l |
Country | France |
Château | Château Leoville Las Cases |
Country | France |
The Château Léoville Las Cases is a french estate located in Saint Julien Beychevelle in Gironde. It is a second classified growth in Médoc classification of 1855.
Jean-Hubert Delon is not lacking in passion nor discipline. The vintages who marched during the past quarter century testify for him. In the Saint-Julien appellation, whether the wines are from in important vintage or a less significant one, they are without a doubt amongst the best. A property absolutely exemplary in the Bordeaux region. The largest of the three Léoville is certainly the greatest in quality and, in the opinion of many, it should be among the first growths. Michel Delon, the "Lord" as he was known, is largely responsible for this recognition.
Since 1976, when he succeeded his father, he worked to reconstruct the drainage of land, to modernize and expand the winery, monitor the performance of its vines. He had this deep attachment to land and work values. His son Jean-Hubert took over in 2000, following his disparition. Las Cases is a typical Saint-Julien of rare nobility of expression and has a breathtaking structure.
>> See all the crus classés in Médoc classification
CHÂTEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU 1981
Saint Julien
Pomerol
CHÂTEAU LEOVILLE LAS CASES 1981
Saint Julien
Pessac Leognan
Pauillac
Saint Emilion
Sauternes
CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION 1981
Pessac Leognan
CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE 1981 Magnum
Saint Julien
This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. The 1981 cuvees of Merlot and Cabernet Franc were light, with the Merlot revealing a mature garnet color, a lean, compact, faded tea-scented nose, unimpressive richness, and hard tannin in the finish. Even less impressive, the Cabernet Franc's hard, tough tannin and high acidity gave the wine a lean, attenuated feel. The Cabernet Sauvignon possessed a healthy dark ruby color, a sweet, ripe nose of black currants and spice, medium body, fine elegance, and a clean, spicy finish.The 1981 Leoville-Las Cases appears close to full maturity, with an excellent deep ruby color, a spicy, cedary, tobacco and currant-scented nose, and good depth and ripeness. A classic, elegantly wrought wine, this is one vintage where the final blend was more complex, but no better than the Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee.
Lovely, round and soft with a good backbone of ripe tannins. Very aromatic, featuring plum, spice and cherry character. Full body and a lovely cedar, fruit finish.The Bordeaux 50. (JS)