Chateau Léoville Las Cases 2002

95/100 PP

"Only 43% of the production made it into the final blend of this remarkable 2002. Produced from a low 17 hectoliters per hectare, it includes 66.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 13.9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has the highest alcohol ever achieved in a Leoville Las Cases (13.5%) as well as a lofty pH of 3.85. Nevertheless, the impression is one of a structured wine with considerable density, a ruby/purple color, layers of flavor, and a classic overall personality. The wine exhibits pure black currant, licorice-infused fruit, huge body, a viscous mid-palate, and a long, heady finish. I suspect this wine won´t be nearly as charming as the 2003 in its youth, but it hasn´t yet closed down, and I am amazed at just how rich, intense, and full-bodied it tastes even after bottling. This is certainly one of the half dozen or so candidates for wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+."
(Robert M. Parker, Jr., robertparker.com)

Château Léoville-las-Cases (Saint-Julien)

"Das Weingut ist seit langem auf Premier Grand Cru-Niveau! Nur einmal schaffte es ein Châteaubesitzer am Bordeaux-Klassement von 1855 zu rütteln. 1973 wurde Mouton-Rothschild in den Adelsstand der Premiers Grands Crus classés zur Familie von Haut-Brion, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour und Margaux emporgehoben. Seither gab es nie mehr Bestrebungen, die Hierarchie erneut festzulegen. Falls es zu einer Neutaxierung kommen würde, wäre Las-Cases sicherlich ein Top-Favorit. Die besten Terroirs von Las-Cases grenzen direkt an den Château Latour!
(René Gabriel - einflussreichster, deutschsprachiger Weinkritiker)

http://www.domaines-delon.com/