2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Report

Episode 22 – Léoville-Las Cases

2020 Château Léoville-Las Cases, Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases, 2ème Cru Saint-Julien

81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot

80% new oak

13.68% alc

79 IPT

3.80 pH

Merlot was harvested from 12^th – 15^th September, Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from 21^st – 27^th September, Cabernet Franc was harvested from 18^th – 19^th September

Noble and refined, intellectually stimulating and respectfully reserved, this is a Las Cases with mesmerising deportment and it delivers its message with complete confidence. In 2020, this powerful lion has taken a few steps away from the muscular stance for which it is famous and so the perfume and palate are incredibly composed. There are plenty of gorgeous red fruit highlights among the 92% Cabernet notes and as Franc overtakes Merlot in the blend this appears to heighten the high notes and floral details in the aromatics while preserving amazing freshness on the finish. Direct, super-long, precision-cut and incredibly refined, Las Cases has captured the energy of the vintage and arranged it with the skill of expert marquetry on the palate. There are few wines as beautiful or as detailed as this one in 2020. 19+/20

My Scores – As you know, I favour the 20-point score. It’s how I was taught to score wines 35 years ago and it dovetails nicely with the way in which I judge wines, too. The absence of a ‘+’ indicates a wine that is in balance and can be drunk relatively young thanks to its precocity and charm. One ‘+’ indicates a wine that will benefit from medium-term ageing (in accordance with the style of the wine), while two ‘++’ indicates a wine that should manage to make the long haul, softening and evolving as it goes.