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...Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035. Robert Parker
David Langstaff
A bit light. Beautiful nose. Darker fruits.
A bit light. Beautiful nose. Darker fruits.
9.2Alex Lallos
Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant
Spot on and still young. Dark red color no bricking. Showing some secondary notes of charred wood and leather with light tobacco. Still tannic and could’ve used a decant. Great wine
Spot on and still young. Dark red color no bricking. Showing some secondary notes of charred wood and leather with light tobacco. Still tannic and could’ve used a decant. Great wine
9.5Conrad Green
Wonderfully balanced with lean blue fruit, graphite, pepper and a very clam and composed finish. Classy, and open for business.
Wonderfully balanced with lean blue fruit, graphite, pepper and a very clam and composed finish. Classy, and open for business.
9.3Bill Bender
Wet cedar, blueberry compote, tobacco and spice. Classy.
Wet cedar, blueberry compote, tobacco and spice. Classy.
9.2Madison Murphy
Co-owner Presqu'ile Winery
1996 is smoking
1996 is smoking
9.5Richard Young
Wine Specialist Christie's
Classic Claret
Classic Claret
9.4Tom Wark
Blogger/Educator fermentationwineblog.com, Founder American Wine Consumers Coalition
Stunning! Another 20 + years on this baby
Stunning! Another 20 + years on this baby
9.7Greg Borden
Sommelier/Wine Director Mas Farmhouse & Mas Grillade
One word to some up this wine: Derp.
One word to some up this wine: Derp.
7.7Christine T
You could smell the beauty of it the second you open the bottle. Takes a minute to open up, naturally but had pretty good staying power. Great structure and balance.
You could smell the beauty of it the second you open the bottle. Takes a minute to open up, naturally but had pretty good staying power. Great structure and balance.
9.0Steven Lee
Boys nite wine. Maybe waited too late. Fruits are gone but then was elegant and silky but not very complex. Even after decants it improves but still was expecting more
Boys nite wine. Maybe waited too late. Fruits are gone but then was elegant and silky but not very complex. Even after decants it improves but still was expecting more
9.4WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.