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Leoville Las Cases 1996 Case (750MLx6)
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Critic Scores, Reviews & Descriptions
100 JA / 98 WA / 98 WCI / 95 FS / 18 JR
Smoked tea, cassis, blackberry, cigar box, camomile, mint leaf, slate and spice, this explodes out of the glass and then holds its own, going nowhere at all over the two or three hours that we sat around the table enjoying it. The 1970 may have had the initial heartstopping armatics, but it was the 1996 that delivered long into the night. Concentrated, tannic, confident. Opened 1.5 hours before drinking, 50% new oak.-Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Having previously rated it nearly perfect, I was apprehensive of a letdown about tasting the 1996 Leoville Las Cases once it had been bottled, but that concern was quickly dismissed once I put my nose in the glass. A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux. This wine's hallmark remains a sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry, and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple color is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille, and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining, and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St.-Julien. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.-Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate
If you are seeking a vintage of Leoville Las Cases for current consumption, look no further. Full-bodied, concentrated, long, deep, and intense, the tannins are firm but soft, the fruit is perfectly ripe, and close to seamless finish must last at least 50 seconds or more. An hour in the decanter, or perhaps up to 2 hours kicks this stunner into high gear.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider
Strong ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle brightening of the edges. The bouquet is somewhat restrained, tobacco-like, dark berry nuances, delicate cassis and licorice, but also leafy spice. Substantial, ripe plum fruit, subtle fruit sweetness, balanced, sticks well, seems a bit withdrawn at the moment, you should give it a little time, has very good further potential.-Peter Moser, Falstaff
Gorgeously intense dark fruit on the nose. Spicy and pure and dark fruited. Paper-fine tannins, great finesse and tenderness. Well defined. Dry and cleansing on the finish. Super-fine texture and very long. Subtle and long and gorgeously dry.-Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson
