Chateau Leoville Las CasesProducer from Bordeaux, France

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux

Bordeaux 1855 Classification: Second Growth

Château Léoville-Las Cases, one of the oldest and most esteemed estates in Bordeaux, is renowned for producing wines of extraordinary depth, complexity, and longevity. Located in the Saint-Julien appellation, Léoville-Las Cases is often regarded as the finest of the "super seconds," a term used to describe Second Growth estates that consistently produce wines on par with those of the First Growths. The estate's flagship wine, Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases, is a true reflection of the estate’s exceptional terroir and meticulous winemaking practices.

History of Château Léoville-Las Cases

The history of Château Léoville-Las Cases dates back to the 17th century when the Léoville estate was established as one of the largest and most prestigious in the Médoc. The estate remained in the hands of the Léoville family until the French Revolution, when it was divided into three separate properties: Léoville-Las Cases, Léoville Poyferré, and Léoville Barton. Léoville-Las Cases, the largest of the three, retained the heart of the original estate and has since built a reputation for producing some of the finest wines in Bordeaux.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Léoville-Las Cases was owned by various members of the Las Cases family, who maintained the estate’s commitment to quality. In 1976, the Delon family, who had acquired the estate in the early 20th century, took full control. Jean-Hubert Delon, the current owner, has continued to uphold the estate’s reputation, focusing on innovation and precision in both the vineyard and the cellar.

Léoville-Las Cases has consistently produced wines that are recognized for their exceptional quality, earning it a reputation as a "super second." While it remains classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, many consider its wines to be of First Growth quality, and it is often mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Château Latour and Château Lafite Rothschild.

The Terroir of Château Léoville-Las Cases

The terroir of Château Léoville-Las Cases is one of the estate’s greatest assets, contributing to the unique character and quality of its wines. The estate’s 98 hectares of vineyards are situated on the banks of the Gironde estuary, just north of the village of Saint-Julien. The proximity to the river provides a moderating influence on the climate, protecting the vines from frost and ensuring a long, even growing season.

The soils at Léoville-Las Cases are composed of deep gravel over a subsoil of clay and limestone. These well-drained gravel soils are ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in these conditions and accounts for around 85% of the vineyard plantings. The remaining vineyard is planted with Merlot, which adds richness and suppleness to the blend, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which contribute aromatic complexity and structure.

The "Grand Clos," a walled vineyard within the estate, is particularly notable for producing the grapes that go into the Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases. This clos, or enclosed vineyard, is adjacent to Château Latour and shares many of the same soil characteristics, contributing to the exceptional quality of the wine.

Winemaking at Château Léoville-Las Cases

Winemaking at Château Léoville-Las Cases is a meticulous process that emphasizes precision and attention to detail. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted to ensure that only the best fruit is used in the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel and oak vats, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavours and tannins.

The wines are then aged in French oak barrels for 18 to 20 months, with about 50% to 80% new oak used each year, depending on the vintage. This ageing process enhances the wines' complexity and depth, allowing the tannins to soften and the flavours to integrate harmoniously. The result is a wine that is both powerful and elegant, capable of developing greater complexity and nuance over time.