Pierre Jean, Adolphe and Gabriel de Las Cases were successive heirs to the property until 1900, when Théophile Skawinski purchased a share in the estate and became its manager. Léoville Las Cases has now been managed by the same family since the late 19th century and is today represented by Jean-Hubert Delon, sole owner of the Château and proprietor of Château Potensac in the Medoc and Château Nénin in Pomerol.

TERROIR

The Clos encases a terroir of very great complexity. It is mainly composed of Quaternary gravel ("graves") over gravelly sand and gravelly clay subsoils. We also find clays which are variably deep and compact, but which sometimes break through to the surface. The proximity of the Gironde River has created the wide diversity of soils, formed over various geological periods by successive superimpositions.

The river also creates a special microclimate that enables very early ripening of the grapes and protects the vineyards from frost. This cameo of geological combinations influences the growth of the vine and the composition of the grapes: regular but restricted water supply and a very low intake of nutrients bring out the best in the great Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs which usually achieve their full potential whatever the vintage. 

VITICULTURE

Sustainable farming. The soil is worked traditionally using the age-old knowledge of the terroir and integrated agricultural methods. Carefully selecting grafts from the best plants, mastering the plants' vigour, limiting the number of treatments and introducing hedgerows to encourage biodiversity are all decisions that contribute to the estate's goal: bringing out the best in each terroir for each vintage offered by Mother Nature. 

WINEMAKING

Traditional method. Grapes are fermented in a combination of temperature-controlled wood, concrete, or stainless steel vats of varying sizes.
The oak vats also vary in age, with the oldest vats dating back close to 50 years. The oak tanks are always reserved for vinification for Chateau Leoville Las Cases. The cement vats are used to produce all the other wines from the property. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank.

Blending takes place after malolactic fermentation, but before the barrel aging begins, allowing the blenders to experience the wine before it has been influenced by the oak.

The wine of Chateau Leoville Las Cases is aged in various percentages of new, French oak barrels. The exact percentage of new oak barrels used varies from year to year, depending on the style and character of the vintage.

However, the most recent vintages of Chateau Leoville Las Cases are aged in about 90% new, French oak barrels for an average of 18 months before bottling.

TASTING NOTES

97 points VINOUS / ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2005 Léoville Las Cases is one of the most brooding, potent wines of the year. When will it be ready’ The answer is not yet. Although I have had other bottles that have been showier. Inky, powerful and potent, the 2005 is a real showstopper. If opened now, the 2005 needs a good 12 hours in the decanter to start performing well. Over time, the 2005 shows it is just at the very beginning of a first plateau of maturity, with lovely aromatic complexity, layers of radiant fruit and tremendous structure to back it all up. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) foreshadows the style that has now become the norm. Time in the glass brings out the red/purplish fruit nicely. Still, I would prefer to give the 2005 a few more years in bottle. The 2005 is a must have for readers who love Las Cases. 

            

98 points THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER/JEFF LEVE

This is a super wine, that in time, should go up in score. But patience is needed here. Decanted 4 hours, that was not enough to tame the strict tannins. Still, it was impossible not to enjoy the perfectly ripe, regal, red and black fruits, intensity, length and concentration found here. This is was the older British writers called good breed. I get their point, even if the term is archaic. All that being said, perhaps, this will be ready between 2025-2030 for the start of its long, 100 year life.

              

97 points VINOUS/NEAL MARTIN The 2005 Léoville Las Cases is a wine that needs more time. The nose remains broody compared to the 2007, but is an absolute joy, featuring brambly red fruit, tobacco, smoke, morels and light estuarine scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that have become more supple over the last couple of years. There is wonderful depth and gentle grip, superb balance and a sense of symmetry on the finish that is quite brilliant. I suspect this will turn out to be one of the chateau greatest achievements of recent years. 

               

98 points WINE SPECTATOR/JAMES MOLESWORTH

Sleek and racy, with black currant and fig fruit laced liberally with a bright iron streak and singed alder notes. This is very tightly coiled, as the fruit seems to be preserved for now, while the cold fireplace character holds sway. A superb energy in reserve gives this more than enough time to wait. Could outlast them all in this vintage. Best from 2025 through 2050. 

                 

97 points WINE ADVOCATE/ROBERT PARKER

This dense ruby/purple wine has a stunningly pure bouquet of dark fruit, wet rocks, graphite, and subtle background toast/vanillin. Full-bodied, masculine, and very deep and concentrated, this titanic effort is at least 8-10 years away from its plateau of maturity. The Delon family have produced another legend. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2050+.