Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2023

The Grand Vin of Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases is a product of exceptional terroirs, mainly located in the Clos Léoville Las Cases. Extending over 60 hectares, these terroirs produce Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs with a remarkable, polished taste and unique characteristics. This Grand Vin has been celebrated for years!

Wine Spectator: 96
Stolid at first, this is inky, dark and tightly wound, but violet and iris notes steadily emerge as a core of cold cassis, plum paste and blackberry puree slowly awakens. The finish is dusted with cold charcoal, and a rigid cast iron spine brings a regal austerity into play, yet there’s enough fruit to burn as this waits for its structural side to loosen. A serious wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Wine Spectator: 96

Stolid at first, this is inky, dark and tightly wound, but violet and iris notes steadily emerge as a core of cold cassis, plum paste and blackberry puree slowly awakens. The finish is dusted with cold charcoal, and a rigid cast iron spine brings a regal austerity into play, yet there’s enough fruit to burn as this waits for its structural side to loosen. A serious wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Wine Advocate: 96
The 2023 Léoville Las Cases has turned out very well, offering up classic notes of cassis, violets, pencil shavings and mint, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered palate that's classically proportioned, seamless and penetrating. Its sweet tannins are even better integrated than they were in cask, and while this remains a comparatively structured wine for the vintage, it will be more youthfully approachable than I anticipated.

Wine Advocate: 96

The 2023 Léoville Las Cases has turned out very well, offering up classic notes of cassis, violets, pencil shavings and mint, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered palate that's classically proportioned, seamless and penetrating. Its sweet tannins are even better integrated than they were in cask, and while this remains a comparatively structured wine for the vintage, it will be more youthfully approachable than I anticipated.

Decanter: 98
Bright, gorgeous, expressive aromatics of dark purple and black fruit. A sense of opulence and clear Cabernet effects on the nose. Supple and agile, juicy and succulent, a rich almost thick cherry juiciness, fleshy, ripe and cool. Lovely minty, liquorice and graphite undertone that keep the freshness going to a long finish. It’s a bit bolder than I expected for LLC and also a bit bigger for the vintage. A characterful style, certainly not missing any body but retains pure charm - this is out to please, certainly not tough or too serious, this is more easy to approach. Lots of herbal elements, pencil lead, graphite and wet stone with cloves and cinnamon. It’s still compact no doubt, but despite the power there’s finesse and it ends clean and lifted. Up there with the best of the vintage. With 4% Merlot, it’s the lowest percentage ever in the blend - 2022 was 5%. 43hl/ha yield. Harvest September 9 to October 2. 6.6% press. 3.79pH. Ageing 18 months, 50% new.

Decanter: 98

Bright, gorgeous, expressive aromatics of dark purple and black fruit. A sense of opulence and clear Cabernet effects on the nose. Supple and agile, juicy and succulent, a rich almost thick cherry juiciness, fleshy, ripe and cool. Lovely minty, liquorice and graphite undertone that keep the freshness going to a long finish. It’s a bit bolder than I expected for LLC and also a bit bigger for the vintage. A characterful style, certainly not missing any body but retains pure charm - this is out to please, certainly not tough or too serious, this is more easy to approach. Lots of herbal elements, pencil lead, graphite and wet stone with cloves and cinnamon. It’s still compact no doubt, but despite the power there’s finesse and it ends clean and lifted. Up there with the best of the vintage. With 4% Merlot, it’s the lowest percentage ever in the blend - 2022 was 5%. 43hl/ha yield. Harvest September 9 to October 2. 6.6% press. 3.79pH. Ageing 18 months, 50% new.

Wine Enthusiast: 97
The wine has great power along with elegance. Its black-pepper aroma and juicy black- currant flavors are concentrated and dense. This is a powerful wine with a huge texture.

Vinous: 97
The 2023 Léoville Las Cases is a wine of understatement and class. In so many vintages, Las Cases is quite authoritative, but I find the 2023 rather quiet and unexpressive today. It’s a rather intellectual Las Cases, a wine with tremendous potential, but also a wine that is quite reserved at this early stage. Time in the glass brings out hints of blueberry, graphite, spice and mocha. It will be interesting to see where this goes. This is a very austere, classically built Las Cases for readers who can be patient.

Vinous: 97

The 2023 Léoville Las Cases is a wine of understatement and class. In so many vintages, Las Cases is quite authoritative, but I find the 2023 rather quiet and unexpressive today. It’s a rather intellectual Las Cases, a wine with tremendous potential, but also a wine that is quite reserved at this early stage. Time in the glass brings out hints of blueberry, graphite, spice and mocha. It will be interesting to see where this goes. This is a very austere, classically built Las Cases for readers who can be patient.

James Suckling: 99
So subtle and complex, with aromas of violets, lavender, dark roses and fresh currants. Very open. A wonderful hint of herbs. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that give a multilayered texture to his and a savory, succulent finish that emphasizes brightness and length. Tangy and vivid at the end. Primary and pure. 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 4% merlot. Best after 2028, but exciting to taste now.

James Suckling: 99

So subtle and complex, with aromas of violets, lavender, dark roses and fresh currants. Very open. A wonderful hint of herbs. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that give a multilayered texture to his and a savory, succulent finish that emphasizes brightness and length. Tangy and vivid at the end. Primary and pure. 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 4% merlot. Best after 2028, but exciting to taste now.

Jeb Dunnuck: 98
Crème de cassis, graphite, freshly sharpened pencils, and crushed stone all emerge from the 2023 Château Léoville Las Cases, a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Merlot that was aged 18 months in 80% new French oak. This serious 2023 brings a beautifully rich, dense, layered style that's very much Las Cases, yet also shows the more rounded, supple profile of the vintage. It's concentrated and rich on the palate, with medium to full-bodied power, terrific mid-palate depth, ripe, solid tannins, and a great finish. It will be a more accessible Las Cases, but I don't think that's going to hurt its ageability.

Jeb Dunnuck: 98

Crème de cassis, graphite, freshly sharpened pencils, and crushed stone all emerge from the 2023 Château Léoville Las Cases, a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Merlot that was aged 18 months in 80% new French oak. This serious 2023 brings a beautifully rich, dense, layered style that's very much Las Cases, yet also shows the more rounded, supple profile of the vintage. It's concentrated and rich on the palate, with medium to full-bodied power, terrific mid-palate depth, ripe, solid tannins, and a great finish. It will be a more accessible Las Cases, but I don't think that's going to hurt its ageability.