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 & FOOD PAIRINGS

100 points DECANTER/JANE ANSON

"Top scoring wines of 2020: 100 points wines" Layered, textured, deep, cigar box, cassis and earth, managing to simultaneously stretch out, and burrow down. The edges open slowly but surely and seductively. Still inky in colour, this has all the powerful texture and tannic architecture that you expect from Leoville, and unlike the 2009 at its ten year point it is still keeping plenty of secrets close to its chest. But you are going to want to be around when it fully opens. Drinking Window 2022 - 2050.

               

97 points WINE ADVOCATE/LISA PERROTTI BROWN

The deep garnet colored 2010 Léoville Las Cases delivers tons of evolving black fruits on the nose with notes of crÃ’me de cassis, prunes and incense plus wafts of cloves, cedar, cigar box and powdered cinnamon. Fullbodied, rich, bold and decadently fruited, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins, and the oak is faintly notable on the palate. It finishes impressively with long-lingering mineral notes. This one probably needs 3-5 more years to really hit its stride! 

                       

96 points VINOUS/NEAL MARTIN

The 2010 Léoville Las Cases has a clean and precise bouquet, beautifully focused with blackberry, melted tar, cigar humidor and crushed stone aromas. It gains intensity with aeration without ever losing its precision. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a sense of abiding symmetry and detail as it fans out on the mineral-driven finish. This is an absolutely awesome SaintJulien with a long life ahead.

                

100 points WINE ENTHUSIAST/ROGER VOSS

A hugely powerful wine, full of dark, brooding tannins. It's a wine for seriously long-term aging, a sculptural vision of classic Bordeaux structure with classy, ripe blackberry fruits. It has fresh acidity and an immense full-bodied character, cut through with mineral acidity. A great wine, with great potential. Cellar selection.

               

99 points WINE SPECTATOR/JAMES MOLESWORTH

Stunning and pure from the get-go, with intense cassis and blackberry fruit. Ultimately takes a slightly austere approach, with a wrought-iron structure driving along while pastis, black tea, licorice snap and asphalt notes course underneath. Long and loaded with grip, this remains remarkably fine-grained. A very chiseled Cabernet that is wonderfully precise and incredibly long. Best from 2020 through 2040.

          

96-96 points JAMES SUCKLING

This is very silky, with a racy and fresh character of violets, currants and raspberries. Full with a super texture. Racy structure. Reminds me of the 1996.