Château LEOVILLE LAS CASES 2010
Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the most prestigious estates in the Médoc, heir to a centuries-old history that makes it one of the pillars of Saint Julien. Located on the famous Enclos vineyard, a terroir of deep gravel mixed with clay resting on a limestone base, it benefits from an exceptional environment on the edge of the Gironde estuary which tempers climatic extremes. The property, managed by the Delon family, is renowned for absolute rigor both in the vineyard and the cellar, with a constant pursuit of purity, density, and precision. Léoville Las Cases is often considered a "first great unclassified growth" as its level regularly rivals the greatest. The 2010 vintage, one of the greatest of the Bordeaux decade, offers a masterful expression of the estate, combining power, tannic intensity, and fruity brilliance in a rare harmony.
Château Léoville Las Cases 2010 comes from a blend largely dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc, hand-harvested at perfect maturity. The grapes are vinified parcel by parcel to faithfully respect the signature of the Enclos, with long and controlled extractions aimed at capturing the full depth of the vintage. Aging in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, shapes a wine of great structure, ample yet perfectly chiseled. 2010 was marked by ideal climatic conditions: sunny days, cool nights, low rainfall, and slow ripening which allowed for tannins of exceptional finesse. The result is a wine of remarkable precision, built for very long aging, where power, elegance, and minerality meet in an almost timeless expression of Saint Julien Cabernet.
On the palate, Léoville Las Cases 2010 shows a very dark garnet color, almost black, heralding exceptional concentration. The nose opens with a deep bouquet of blackcurrant, wild blackberry, black plum, and violet, enriched with notes of graphite, cedar, blond tobacco, and sweet spices. On the palate, the attack is straight and majestic, supported by an impressive tannic density yet velvety finesse, revealing a rich, precise mid-palate with remarkable energy. The flavors evolve long on black fruits, pencil lead, dark chocolate, and a very pure mineral thread that marks the terroir of the Enclos. The finish is endless, fresh, harmonious, leaving an impression of rare depth and tension. At the table, it pairs perfectly with a matured rib steak, roasted game, wild duck, a tournedos Rossini, or a matured cheese such as a Comté aged over thirty months.
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
