1998 Château Léoville Las Cases

TASTING NOTES

"The 1998 has turned out to be one of the vintage's superb Médocs. It boasts an opaque black/purple color as well as a classic Léoville Las Cases display of lead pencil, gorgeously pure black raspberries and cherries, smoke, and graphite. A broad yet focused entry on the palate reveals firm tannin, medium to full body, superb concentration and purity, as well as a totally symmetrical mouthfeel. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #134
(WA, 04/01/2001)

Rating: 93
Drink from: 2006-2025

"The 1998 Léoville Las-Cases is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. This is fresh and lively on the nose, quite backward and certainly one of the most “undeveloped” of the 1998 Left Banks that I tasted. I appreciate the delineation on display here, the black fruit opening with time, secondary scents of seaweed, pencil lead and a touch of truffle emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plenty of taut black fruit laced with iron and that beguiling marine-like tincture that runs from start to finish. This is a solid Las-Cases and 20 years of age that probably still needs another four or five years in bottle. Excellent and moreover and it improved with aeration after a two-hour decanting. Tasted at the château." Neal Martin, Vinous.com
(NM, 05/01/2018)

Rating: 93
Drink from: 2018-2030

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