2008 Château Léoville-Las Cases

Robert Parker 95-97+ points Readers should not be surprised that the 2008 Leoville Las Cases is a great classic as the selection process here is as Draconian as at any of the first-growths. Slightly more than one-third of the production made it into the grand vin, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot. Yields were just under 38 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol of 13.4% is among the highest ever measured at this estate. The harvest was very late, between October 6-18, and the result is a wine boasting extraordinarily sweet tannin as well as abundant black cherry and cassis notes intermixed with a prominent underlying minerality. Despite the massive density, concentration, and length, the wine is extremely precise, nuanced, and impeccably pure. This phenomenal effort should be more drinkable in its youth than many other vintages of Las Cases because of the ripe tannins and sweet fruit density. It will need 5-10 years of cellaring, and should last for 40+ years

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (9%), Petit Verdot (1%)

Taste: dry

Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.
Acidity: 3.22 g/l
Allergen information: Contains sulphites

Bottler, importer: Leoville Las Cases, , 33250 Saint Julien-Beychevelle, FRANCE