Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2011

The history of Chateau Leoville Las Cases began in 1638. Jean de Moytie owned the vineyard. It remained in the family for 100 years until Alexandre de Gascq received the vineyard through marriage. He renamed it Leoville. After the french revolution, the state was split into 3 with Pierre Jean Las Cases receiving a large portion of the vineyards. Another part became Chateau Leoville Barton and Leoville Poyferre. The Barton portion only contained vineyards whereas the Poyferre and Las Cases portion both contained buildings which are still connected to this day.

The current owning family began in the early 120th century when Theophile Skawinski passed his shares to Andre Delon. Jean Hubert Delon is the current managing Director. Chateau Leoville Las Cases began the tradition of producing a 'Second" wine in 1902 with Clos du Marquis. The second wine of Chateau Leoville Las Cases is now called Petite Lion du Marquis de las Cases. Clos du Marquis is now a separate estate.

The 242 acre vineyard of Leoville Las Cases is planted to 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The 2016 vintage is comprised of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Spectator: 95
This has some toast to shed, but retains a terrific core of crushed plum and blackberry confiture. There's a beautiful ripple of charcoal for texture, with honest acidity for balance and a bolt of iron that keeps this firmly grounded. A brick-house Cabernet. Best from 2018 through 2030.

Wine Advocate: 93
One of the more formidably backward and potentially long-lived wines of the vintage, the medium to full-bodied 2011 Leoville Las Cases behaves like a first-growth, which in a sense it truly is. Revealing a dense inky/purple color, it is a structured, rich, impressively endowed effort that is meant for the long haul. Atypical for this vintage, it requires 5-7 years of bottle age and should drink well for two decades thereafter. The final blend was 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Yields were a low 27 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol achieved 13.4%.

Wine Advocate: 93

One of the more formidably backward and potentially long-lived wines of the vintage, the medium to full-bodied 2011 Leoville Las Cases behaves like a first-growth, which in a sense it truly is. Revealing a dense inky/purple color, it is a structured, rich, impressively endowed effort that is meant for the long haul. Atypical for this vintage, it requires 5-7 years of bottle age and should drink well for two decades thereafter. The final blend was 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Yields were a low 27 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol achieved 13.4%.

Wine Enthusiast: 96
Cellar Selection* Huge structure, huge potential, a wine that will bring out all the fruit and density of the vintage while remaining very fresh. Black plums are already showing strongly along with the dry core that promises aging. It’s serious while alive and bright. Drink this major wine from 2022.

James Suckling: 94
Intense aromas of currants and blackberries with minerals. Full body, with an serious density for the vintage, and racy tannin and acidity. It goes on very long. Reminds me a little of 1996. Very classic style