Château Léoville Las Cases: 5 things to know

Located near the Gironde, Château Léoville Las Cases has an ancient history and a unique terroir.

1: Its history dates back to the 17th century

Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux. Formerly known as “Mount Moytié”. The notoriety of the Château was affirmed in the middle of the 17th century, when it became the property of Blaise Antoine Alexandre de Gasq, lord of Léoville, mortar president of the parliament of Bordeaux.

As a result of the French Revolution, the Château was divided. A quarter of the estate was sold and became Léoville Barton. The remaining part, which went to the Las Cases heirs, was again divided in two. One part became Léoville Poyferré and the other, Léoville Las Cases with 55 hectares of vines. The fortress remained in the hands of the heirs until 1900. After several other great leaders at the head of the estate, it was the Delon family who took over at the end of the 19th century.

2: Léoville Las Cases is a second Grand Cru Classé

The great wine Léoville Las Cases is among the second classified growths of the Médoc in the official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855. Produced from the oldest vines, this classified growth is particularly elegant and expresses the richness of its terroir and the specific character of the region. parcel “Clos Léoville Las Cases”, at the exit of the Bourg de Saint-Julien.

3: Léoville Las Cases produces a second wine

From the youngest vines, the second wine benefits from the same know-how and the same production conditions granted to the great wine. Since 1902, Léoville Las Cases has produced a second wine called “Clos du Marquis”.

In 2007, a second second wine was born at the Château: “Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases”. A lion represents this second wine, present in the name, on the label of the vintage and in the form of stone statues at the entrance to the cellar.

This is why the name “Petit Lion” naturally becomes the name of the second wine of Léoville Las Cases. Today “Le Clos du Marquis” is still produced but is no longer considered the second wine of Léoville Las Cases. It is a wine in its own right.

4: Cinematographic appearance in french film “L’aile ou la cuisse”

Château Léoville Las Cases makes its appearance in the cinema! In the film “L’Aile ou la Cuisse” released in 1976, we manage to identify a Léoville Las Cases 1953. Louis de Funès plays the food critic Charles Duchemin. He guesses the wine he is drinking even though he no longer has a sense of smell.

5: Château Léoville Las Cases has great vintages

The Château is one of the flagship estates of its Saint-Julien appellation. It has been offering us great vintages for several decades. The most exceptional vintages are: 1945, 1961, the 1982 vintage and the 1986 wines. The wines of 1989, the 1996 and 2000 vintages are also exceptional. Finally, the 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2013 vintages are extraordinary.

Our selection of Château Léoville Las Cases

Château Léoville Las Cases 2000

Rated 98/100 Robert Parker Wine Advocate – wine tasting december 2017

“The 2000 Léoville-Las-Cases is a quite fabulous and masterful Saint Julien that is just beginning to flex its muscles. It has a very intense and beautifully defined bouquet with mineral-rich flavors of blackberry and blueberry, concentration and exceptional harmony, and very well integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, an impressive backbone and in situ concentration. There is a hint of mint infusing the fruit here, superb tension with a hint of What was remarkable was watching the improvement in the glass, reaching wonderful energy and delineation over time, getting even better after a few hours.”

Discover the Château Léoville Las Cases 2000

Château Léoville Las Cases 1998

Rated 94/100 Robert Parker Wine Advocate – wine tasting march 2021

“Deep garnet in color with a hint of brick, it delivers pronounced, beautifully pure scents of crème de cassis, blackberry jam and prunes with an undercurrent of cigar box, licorice, pencil lead, as well as a touch of espresso.Medium to full-bodied, the palate is impressively rich and deep, coating the mouth with velvety tannins and just the right amount of freshness, for a long and spicy. Still very young, this wine is in that sweet spot where it has considerable evolution. Drink it now and for the next 20 years or more.”

Discover the Château Léoville Las Cases 1998