Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2012

Superb colour, great depth of concentration shows the Pauillac character of Las Cases, severe and uncompromising now, but a great future.

The seriously endowed 2012 Las Cases exhibits a dense purple color as well as surprisingly sweet tannin and a forwardness that one does not normally find at this address. Medium to full-bodied with beautiful black currant, graphite, crushed rock and subtle oaky notes, it possesses lots of minerality and precision, impressive power, a rich mid-palate which sets it apart from other St.-Juliens), and a long finish. It appears this beauty will be drinkable in 5-6 years, and last for 25 or more.

One of the best, if not the finest wines made in St.-Julien in 2012 is Jean-Hubert Delon’s famed Leoville Las Cases. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it tips the scales at 13.5% alcohol, which is interesting given the fact that its next door neighbor, Latour, only hit 12.8%. Delon said rot was no problem in their well-drained, gravelly vineyards which are of first-growth quality in fact if not in name).