2009 Château Léoville Las Cases

Wine Advocate (Robert M. Parker): 98+ Punkte für den Jahrgang 2009 „The 2009 Leoville Las Cases may be the most open-knit and forward Las Cases I have tasted to date. Analytically, it is high in tannin and the alcohol is 13.8%, nearly a record at this estate. This blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc was showing brilliantly at the 2009 tasting I did in Hong Kong and at a later tasting. It boasts an inky/purple color, monumental concentration and lots of sweet, jammy black currant, black cherry and kirsch fruit intermixed with crushed rock and mineral notes. As always, proprietor Jean-Hubert Delon has built a massive wine with exceptional precision, unbelievable purity and aging potential of 40-50 years. I was surprised by the lusciousness of this cuvee on several occasions, and how much more forward it is given the fact that Las Cases can often be forebodingly backward and in need of 10-15 years of cellaring (at age 30, the 1982 is still a baby in terms of development!). The super-concentrated 2009 needs another 5-7 years before additional nuances emerge. This is a brilliant, full-throttle St.-Julien. „

Weinwisser: 20/20 Punkte für den Jahrgang 2009″Ertrag: 38 hl/ha. Der Grand Vin, eine Assemblage von 76 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot und 9 % Cabernet Franc, reift in zu 65 % neuem Holz. Sattes Purpur-Granat. Im Bouquet ein Wahnsinnscocktail von verschiedenen Beeren, konzentriert und bereits gebündelt, Amarenakirschen, Cassis und Waldhimbeeren, sehr frisch, ein delikates Cabernet-Parfüm mit Noten von Trüffel, Zitronenthymian und Minze verströmend. Am Gaumen körperreich und komplex, mit unglaublich viel Süsse in den veloursartig gegliederten Tanninen, feine Kokosaromen, Veilchen und Cassis. Der Pressweinanteil (6,4 %) verleiht dem Extrakt eine gewaltige Szechuanpfefferwürze und stützt den reichen Körper. Erinnert an den 1982er, dürfte aber deutlich feiner und klassischer sein.“

Wine Spectator: 98 Punkte für den Jahrgang 2009 „This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035.“