1998 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 1×1.5L

Robert Parker 94

The 1998 Leoville Las Cases is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, it delivers pronounced, beautifully pure creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and prunes scents with an undercurrent of cigar box, licorice, pencil lead and hoisin, plus a touch of espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has impressive richness and depth, coating the mouth with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Still very youthful, this wine is in that sweet spot where it has considerable evolution and yet bags of fruit. Drink it now and for the next 20 years+. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 28/02/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2041

Vinous 92+

Medium ruby. Spicy, highly aromatic nose combines currant, lead pencil, licorice, minerals and roasted nuts. Dense, spicy and penetrating, with lovely clarity of fruit and considerable power. Quite suave and stylish. Finishes very long, with firm tannins that are quite fine for the year. "We’ll prefer the ’99 for the first ten years, but afterwards this ’98 may be better," notes Jean-Hubert Delon. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2001]