2021 Château Léoville Las Cases – Saint-Julien 2. Cru Classé
2021 Château Léoville Las Cases is one of Bordeaux’s most iconic wines and is considered by many to be an estate on par with the famous Premier Cru Classé properties. The wine unites power, elegance, and precision with intense notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, violets, cedarwood, graphite, and dark chocolate. A great Saint-Julien with exceptional depth, silky tannins, and impressive aging potential.
About the product
Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the Médoc's most prestigious wine estates and has been classified as a Deuxième Cru Classé since 1855. The estate is located immediately adjacent to Château Latour and possesses some of the best gravel soils in all of Bordeaux. Many wine critics regard Léoville Las Cases as an "unofficial First Growth" due to its consistently high quality.
The 2021 vintage is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc as key supplements. The grapes are hand-harvested parcel by parcel and vinified with great precision before the wine is aged in French oak barrels. The result is a classic Saint-Julien with impressive concentration, elegance, and an exceptional balance between fruit, structure, and minerality.
About the region
Saint-Julien is one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc and is known for wines that combine the structure of Pauillac with the elegance of Margaux. The well-drained gravel soils provide optimal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, while the region’s maritime climate contributes to wines of great finesse, freshness, and longevity. Saint-Julien is home to some of Bordeaux's most famous Cru Classé estates.
Tasting notes
Nose: Complex aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, cassis, violets, cedarwood, graphite, cigar box, pencil lead, and fine spices.
Palate: Concentrated and precise with layers of dark berries, ripe blackcurrant, licorice, dark chocolate, graphite, and elegant oak aging. The silky tannins and fresh acidity create a wine of great energy and impressive balance.
Finish: Very long, complex, and mineral with lingering notes of dark fruit, cedarwood, graphite, and elegant spices.
Serving
Best served at 16–18 °C. We recommend decanting the wine for 2–3 hours before serving to allow the complex aromas to unfold. Serve in a large Bordeaux glass. The wine has exceptional aging potential and will develop beautifully over the next 25–40 years.
Food pairings
2021 Château Léoville Las Cases is particularly well-suited for:
- Grilled beef tenderloin and ribeye
- Rack of lamb with rosemary
- Game such as red deer, roe deer, and pheasant
- Duck breast with mushrooms
- Braised beef cheeks
- Dishes with black truffles
- Mushroom risotto
- Aged firm cheeses
FAQ
What characterizes Château Léoville Las Cases?
Château Léoville Las Cases is one of Bordeaux's most acclaimed wine estates and produces wines often compared to the famous Premier Cru Classé wines. The estate is known for its elegance, structure, and exceptional aging capacity.
How does the 2021 Château Léoville Las Cases taste?
The wine has complex notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, violets, graphite, cedarwood, dark chocolate, and fine spices with a long and mineral finish.
What does Saint-Julien pair well with?
Saint-Julien pairs perfectly with beef, lamb, game, mushroom or truffle dishes, as well as aged cheeses.
Can 2021 Château Léoville Las Cases be cellared?
Yes. Under optimal storage conditions, the wine has an aging potential of 25–40 years or longer and will develop even greater complexity and elegance with age.