2019 Leoville Las Cases

The 2019 Léoville Las-Cases was picked from 18 September to 8 October and matured in 90% new oak barrels. Typically deep and limpid in colour, it has a knockout nose with penetrating blackberry, bilberry and blueberry fruit struck through with an accentuated marine/oyster shell element. The palate is beautiful, the fine-grain tannins framing delineated, mineral-infused black fruit. There is a clarity to this Grand Vin that places it amongst Jean-Hubert Delon's finest releases in recent years and it is blessed with astounding length. You come away with the feeling of a nascent wine boasting immense coiled-up energy that will guarantee its longevity. Stunning.

I love it when a wine steals up on you, and you very definitely get that here, taking its time on the first attack then rapidly expanding outwards and upwards. Undoubtedly it will knit down as Las Cases can't help itself but do, but there is a creamy almost caramel side hiding among the tannins here. Beautiful power and layers of charcoal, slate, crushed stones, cassis, bilberry and tobacco - all displayed with elegance and tension. A long harvest of over three weeks from September 18 to October 8, 6.5% press wine used, a little more than in 2018 (where just over 2% was used). 3.67pH, 90% new oak.

Deep purple-black to the rim. Dark and brooding with immense depth. Blackcurrant and graphite nuance. Beautiful lift on the palate, so much energy and power. Ingrained minerally freshness. Huge tannic base but the texture smooth and remarkably refined. Zest and force but absolute precision. Lingering and intense, stays on the palate for ever. One of the greats from this estate. (JL) 14%