2017 Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 750 ml

Léoville Las Cases is a First Growth in everything but name—and price. With vineyards that border Château Latour and one of the most quality-minded winemaking teams in the world, it’s at the pinnacle of Bordeaux. The 2017 out-scored all five First Growths in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, with a 98+ point review that declared: “Damn, that’s good.”

That wasn't the only glowing praise, either. Vinous founder Antonio Galloni scored it 97+ and said “Léoville Las Cases captures all the best the vintage has to offer… What a wine!” And the kudos kept coming: the ‘17 received five different reviews of 97 points and higher.

Léoville Las Cases is revered by Bordeaux enthusiasts because of the winery's single-minded focus on quality, and their old-school, age-worthy style. Their wines are some of the longest-lived on the Left Bank, and display a purity and coiled power that are nearly unmatched. Decanter’s review described a nose so captivating that “you want to spend time just thinking about the different strands that are coming at you.” It's exactly how we felt the first time we tried the wine. 

Aromas of dark plums, rich black currants, cocoa-dusted black cherries, Dominican cigars, and Madagascar vanilla swirled up from the glass, holding our attention. Once we took a sip, we were met with a rush of dark fruit buttressed by graphite minerality, exotic spice, and firm tannins.

Most agree that the 1855 classification erred in not granting Léoville Las Cases First Growth status. “If a single wine estate in Bordeaux today were to be promoted to the rank of Premier Cru Classé, Léoville las Cases would be the choice of most claret connoisseurs,” James Suckling wrote in Wine Spectator. 

Their vineyard sits at the far northern end of St.-Julien, separated from Pauillac—and Château Latour—by a tiny stream. As a result, Léoville Las Cases combines the classic power of Pauillac with St.-Julien’s trademark poise and austerity, producing a wine that’s as classic as they come on the Left Bank, and a favorite of collectors around the world.

Léoville Las Cases has earned their reputation for purebred Bordeaux classicism. They still vinify using giant wood casks—some of which are 50 years old—which gently micro-oxygenate the wine during fermentation. This process refines the sometimes-fierce tannins, incorporating them into a graceful but stout structure that will allow the wine to age beautifully for decades.

The 2017 vintage was characterized by warmth, making this an unusually approachable Léoville Las Cases, but one that can still age for a generation or more. No matter when you open it, this wine will be a highlight of your collection, so make sure you give it the star treatment it deserves.