The 2020 Leoville-Las Cases is a Bordeaux Blend from the St Julien sub-region in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Leoville-Las Cases, this red wine features a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. It has an alcohol content of 13.5% and is sealed with a cork.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, highlighting its “incredibly classic style” with notes of currant, lead pencil, crushed stone, and sweet tobacco. He describes the wine as “solid as a rock” with “minerally, stoney and powerful tannins.” Suckling concludes that it progresses to “violet, graphite and licorice at the end” (jamessuckling.com).
Decanter gave the wine 97 points, praising its “perfumed touches on the nose” with high-toned blackcurrant and rose petal nuances. The publication notes that the wine is “not hugely expansive in the mouth” but is “vibrant and compelling” with perfectly integrated tannins. Described as “almost unfriendly,” Decanter acknowledges the wine’s precision and suggests it is a “sleeping beauty waiting to awaken” (Decanter).
Jeff Leve, from TheWineCellarInsider.com, rated the wine at 98 points. He noted its “dark garnet color” and aromas of “tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, herbs, black currants, coffee, and spice.” Leve finds the wine “refined, fresh, polished and firm” with “ripe almost creamy” tannins. He recommends giving it at least 12-15 years before opening (TheWineCellarInsider.com).
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded the wine 97+ points, describing it as a “classic in the making” with aromas of “cherries, cassis, loamy soil, violets and dark chocolate.” The review highlights its “rich and concentrated” nature with a “long, resonant finish” (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).
Jeb Dunnuck also gave it 98 points, calling it “regal” and “flawlessly balanced” with a “pure core of cassis and darker currant fruits.” He suggests it will need a decade to reach its prime and will have 50-75 years of longevity (jebdunnuck.com).
Wine Enthusiast rated it 98 points, emphasizing its “richness” from dark tannins and “pure, classic black currant flavors.” The publication notes its “considerable structure” and potential for aging (Wine Enthusiast).
Wine Spectator gave it 96 points, describing it as “sleek and slightly austere” with a “cold cast iron note” and flavors of cassis, plum, and blackberry. The wine is deemed “stoic” with “subtle flashes of tobacco and smoldering charcoal” (Wine Spectator).
Jane Anson awarded it 97 points, praising its “richly textured” nature with flavors of “pencil lead, cassis, black cherry, cigar box, liquorice, and espresso.” Anson notes its “generous” character compared to other vintages (janeanson.com).
Antonio Galloni from Vinous rated the wine 98+ points, describing it as a “powerhouse” with a palate saturated with “blackberry jam, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, espresso, and plum.” He believes it will require patience before it is ready to drink (Vinous).
Overall, the 2020 Leoville-Las Cases is highly praised for its classic style, complex aromas, and potential for long-term aging.
