1998 was a late flowering year but the grapes achieved perfect ripeness by harvest time. It's an excellent vintage that's generally known as a Right Bank year, but is more than holding its own over in St-Julien. At this point we are starting to see what a mature Léoville can do: the edges are softening to a russet colour and the cigar-box edge is apparent, alongside notes of hedgerow, undergrowth, rosemary, black cherry, cassis, and a touch of menthol on the finish.

The 1998 Léoville Las Cases is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, it delivers pronounced, beautifully pure crème de cassis, blackberry preserves and prunes scents with an undercurrent of cigar box, licorice, pencil lead and hoisin, plus a touch of espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has impressive richness and depth, coating the mouth with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Still very youthful, this wine is in that sweet spot where it has considerable evolution and yet bags of fruit. Drink it now and for the next 20 years+. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

This is developed well over the wines, putting on more weight and complexity. Now, you find a ready-to-go Las Cases delivering a complex set of aromatics; black and red currants, smoke, cigar box, wet earth, cedar, and tobacco. The wine is full, firm, stoic and also fresh. Classic in style, the finish is all about its freshness and lifted characteristics that come along with its chewy, bright, red, spicy fruits. An hour or 2 of air will help. The wine blends 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, 12.9% ABV. 93 Points Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1998&wine=Chateau%20Leoville%20Las%20Cases

Impressive dark, almost purple color. Intense aromas of crushed blackberries, minerals, mint and currant follow through to a full body, with licorice and berry character and a long, velvety finish. Needs a bit of time still, but very enjoyable already. Very serious for the vintage.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2011. – JS

Harvested under rainy conditions (1998 was great for the Right Bank and much more difficult for the later ripening Left Bank), the 1998 Léoville Las Cases offers a complex, nuanced, and elegant style that lacks some ripeness yet stays classic and balanced, with no green or off flavors. Cedar, lead pencil, currants, leafy herbs, and ample spice notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied Saint Julien that has fine tannins, a seamless texture, and terrific elegance. Drink it over the coming decade or so.