Léoville Las Cases 2001 75cl

04: Sattes, leuchtendes Granat-Rubin, mittlere Farbdichte. Enges, tendenziell eher rot- bis blaubeeriges Bouquet, feine Caramelnote darin, ein Hauch Kokos und Sandelholz. Im Gaumen jetzt schon elegant auftretend, viel Souplesse, eine gewisse, an Tempranillo erinnernde Süsse, die von den reifen Tanninen herkommt, in der Mitte Rasse und dominikanischer Tabak zeigend. Ein grosser St. Julien, der mit grossen Pauillacs (auch in der Aromatik) mithalten kann. (19/20). 11: Leuchtendes, dunkles Rubin, fein aufhellender Rand. Unglaublich süsses, verführerisches Bouquet, Damassinepflaumen, Kandis, Cassisblüten, zart buttrig mit einem Hauch Kokosmilch darin. Im Gaumen saftig, auch hier wieder süss ausstrahlende Tannine, alles ist homogen und harmonisch, im Finale Bounty und Sandelholz, setzt auf Eleganz und ist ein Winnerwein. Das Publikum war entsprechend begeistert. (19/20). 13: Mitteldunkles Granat-Rubin, feiner Rand aussen. Delikates Kirschenbouquet, zartes Vanillin, Milchkaffee, fein ausladend, erstaunlich zugänglich. Zarter, saftiger Gaumen, feine Tannine, gut balanciert, harmonische Länge und wieder Milchkaffee im langen Finale. Diese Flasche: 18/20. Vielleicht war es das Problem, dass der 2000er neben dran stand. trinken (2012 - 2030)

Antonio Galloni: The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it, a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly, I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam, spice, graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous, the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases, in fact. But who’s complaining? Certainly not me. Even so, the 2001 is ultimately a mid-weight Las Cases, with plenty of opulent fruit, but not quite the tannic heft that is such a signature of this reference-point St. Julien. Readers lucky enough to own the 2001 are in for a real treat. This is an especially fine bottle, perhaps the finest I have come across. Aside from all the technical analyses and descriptors, what really matters most is that the 2001 is a wine that delivers immense drinking pleasure. I absolutely loved it.

A very typical Las Cases with a Pauillac note, even though it’s St.-Julien. Lead pencil, dried herb, currant and black olive. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and creamy with a long finish. It’s very persistent. Pretty austerity. Be sure to decant this a couple of hours in advance. Drink or hold.

The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, it charges out of the glass sporting energetic notes of kirsch, blackberry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles with underlying scents of star anise, cumin seed, potpourri, oolong tea and tobacco leaf plus a waft of incense. The medium-bodied, exquisitely elegant palate explodes with a myriad of exotic spice, floral and dried berries notes, framed by soft tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and with impeccable poise and sophistication.

A long, refined beam of gently mulled black currant and plum fruit is inlaid liberally with a smoldering charcoal note, while tobacco, ganache and warm paving stone accents form the background. A touch reticent through the finish, with the charcoal edge winning out. Shows lovely cut and length. Best from 2020 through 2035. 11,667 cases made.—J.M.