85-89 / 100
Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | 1981 |
Rating | 85-89 |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Saint Julien |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 1.50 l |
Price | From 200 € to 300 € |
Château | Leoville Las Cases |
Country | France |
Haut Medoc
CHÂTEAU MALARTIC LAGRAVIERE 1981
Pessac Leognan
Margaux
DOMAINE B. BACHELET & Fils 1981
Chassagne Montrachet
Pauillac
Montagne-St. Emilion
Saint Estèphe
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)