The wines of Léoville las cases: a review of their characteristics

Leoville las cases is a pioneer of wine production in the Saint-Julien region. Wine production at Domaine de Leoville dates back to the 17th century. The estate's name is linked to the history of one of the most influential and noble families in France. Today, Le Grand Clos produces harmonious, well-balanced wines that improve with age, without compromising on excellence. These wines have been awarded second-growth status in the 1855 classification. Here's an overview of the history of the estate, its vineyards and the quality of its wines

History of Domaine de Leoville

The region is world-famous for its wine-growing and is home to the prestigious Château de Léoville las Cases, one of the Médoc's oldest wineries. The estate, located in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, belongs to one of France's noble families. It was one of the most important estates in the region. However, following the French Revolution, which led to the seizure of property through expropriation, the estate was divided into three parts between 1826 and 1840. The current Château Leoville las cases represents 3/5 of the former Leoville estate. The other divisions are Château Leoville Barton and Château Leoville Poyferré. The same generation of winemakers has managed the estate since the end of the 19th century. It is run by Jean-Hubert Delon, who also owns Châteaux Potensac and Nenin. The estate can be recognised by the gate guarded by the famous lion statue that appears on the labels of the estate's wines. The gate opens onto a fifty-hectare vineyard entirely surrounded by fences, which separate the estate from that of neighbouring Château Latour

Terroir of Château Léoville

The vineyards of the emblematic Domaine Delon cover an area of 98 hectares planted with vines. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon Noir (66%), Merlot Noir (24%), Cabert Franc Noir (9%) and Petit Verdot Noir (1%). The terroir is at the root of the wines' full-bodied flavours and ageing potential. It is made up of sandy gravel with varying depths of clay. The proximity of the Gironde and the sunshine guarantee favourable climatic conditions for ripening the grapes. The harvest is good unless temperatures exceed a certain threshold. This is a rare occurrence that can lead to an accumulation of sugar and a poor quality aromatic composition of the wine. Otherwise, to obtain a harmonious wine for ageing, the estate adopts integrated viticulture and carefully considered fertilisation, without the use of chemical weedkillers. The estate produces three types of wine with a balanced blend. These products have an excellent capacity to retain their chemical and oenological integrity for many years.
-Firstly, there is the Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de las Cases, which is matured in new oak barrels depending on the vintage. This gives the wines a rich style, with rich, complex flavours and fine aromas.
-Clos du Marquis", Saint-Julien appellation wines, born in 1902, also have a unique personality.
-Petit Lion du Marquis de las Cas", a cuvée created in 2007. It has a full-bodied nose of black fruit, with hints of blackcurrant and cherry

Quality of vintage wines Château Leoville las cases

The estate has forged a reputation for great vintages, incredibly fresh and powerful, although each bottle has its own complexity and personality. The older vintages have long since reached full maturity, but the younger wines also have remarkable ageing potential