The 2023 Leoville-Las Cases is a Bordeaux Blend from the St. Julien sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Leoville-Las Cases, features a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Merlot. The wine is sealed with a cork closure.
James Suckling rated it 98 points, describing it as having "exceptional quality of cabernet" with "graphite, lead pencil, crushed stone, walnut, and currant fruit." He noted that it "grows and expands on the palate, remaining in focus at the same time," with "refined and seamless" tannins.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a score of 96 points. Reviewer William Kelley commended its "serious, structured" nature, likening it to a modern-day version of the estate's excellent 2001. He highlighted its "aromas of cherries, cassis, and plums mingled with hints of licorice, mint, and creamy new oak," describing it as deep, concentrated, and requiring patience.
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown rated the wine 97 points, noting its "deep garnet-purple color" and "ripe blackcurrants, black cherries, and mulberries" aromas. She emphasized its "taut black berry layers and loads of mineral accents, framed by firm fine-grained tannins and wonderful tension."
Vinous awarded the wine 97 points, with Neal Martin appreciating its "very precise bouquet" and "estuarine element-aromatics." He described it as having a "linear" nature with a "sense of 'seriousness' toward the almost saturnine finish."
Jane Anson also rated it 98 points, finding it "structured and powerful," with "layers of cassis and bilberry fruits, subtle hints of bitter aniseed, fennel, cola, espresso, squid ink, textured slate tannins." She pointed out its "balance and classicism."
Decanter praised the wine with a 98-point score, highlighting its "bright, gorgeous, expressive aromatics of dark purple and black fruit" and "supple and agile, juicy and succulent" palate. The reviewer noted its "herbal elements, pencil lead, graphite, and wet stone with cloves and cinnamon."
Jeff Leve gave it a 98-point score as well, noting its "cigar wrapper, creme de cassis, flowers, cherries, mint, and blackberries" bouquet. He described it as "intense, full-bodied, concentrated, racy, and vibrant," with a finish that "lingers with layers of perfectly ripe berries."
Jeb Dunnuck rated the wine 97 points, describing it as "another absolute classic 2023 from the Médoc" with "pure crème de cassis, leather, graphite, violets, and a Latour-like sense of minerality."
Overall, the 2023 Leoville-Las Cases is characterized by its structured, powerful nature, with layers of complex flavors and aromas that promise a long aging potential. The wine has garnered excellent reviews, with several reviewers highlighting its balance, refinement, and potential for aging.