Parker about Château Leoville Las Cases Grand Vin de Léoville 1986
The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases is still as youthful in appearance after 30 years, with only a thin bricking on the rim giving away its age. The bouquet is magnificent: extraordinarily pure and delineated, bewitching black fruit laced with cedar and graphite, the latter lending an almost Pauillac-like personality. The palate is exactly as I have found the previous dozen or so bottles I have tasted: structured, delineated, intense, aristocratic and imperious. It is less formidable than say, ten years ago, so it has probably just stepped onto its drinking plateau. The acidity is perfectly judged lending freshness and tension, crucial to counterbalance those layers of spicy black fruit that fans out with cedar and graphite (again) towards the finish. You come away with the feeling of having consumed a wine with immense energy, yet with so much more to give over the next three decades, and knowing this property, perhaps even the three decades after that! I would agree with the late Michel Delon: the 1986 Léoville Las-Cases is the summit of the 1980s.
Description
Land | France |
Region | Bordeaux Saint Julien |
Rebsorten | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Frane, Merlot |
Alkoholgehalt | 12.50% |
Füllstand | Into Neck |
Verschlußart | cork stopper |
Kennzeichnung | Contains sulphites |
Farbe | Red |
Inverkehrbringer | Château Leoville Las Cases, Rue de L'Ecole, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, France |
Charakter | Dry |
Servierempfehlung | Decant at 16-18°C |
Trinkempfehlung | 2016 - 2060 |
Parker Punkte | 98 |
Jahrgang | 1986 |
Bordeaux Saint Julien, France 🇫🇷

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Château Leoville Las Cases Grand Vin de Léoville 1986

The Château Léoville Las Cases Grand Vin de Léoville 1986 is an exceptional Bordeaux wine from the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation in the Médoc. This winery is considered one of the finest in the region, and the 1986 vintage is an outstanding example of the quality and aging potential of its wines.
On the nose, the Château Léoville Las Cases 1986 unfolds a complex and intense bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, and plums, complemented by secondary aromas of tobacco, leather, and truffle, developed through the long aging in oak barrels. Fine notes of cedarwood, graphite, and subtle spice lend the wine additional depth and complexity.
On the palate, the wine is powerful and structured, with firm yet ripe tannins that offer excellent balance and elegance. The fruit flavors are deep and concentrated, accompanied by nuances of dark chocolate, mocha, and a mineral freshness. The acidity is well integrated, providing vibrancy and longevity. The finish is long and complex, with hints of oak and spice that underscore the wine's complex character.
The Château Léoville Las Cases Grand Vin de Léoville 1986 is a stunning wine that perfectly reflects the excellence and terroir of Saint-Julien. This vintage has reached maturity but still offers many years of enjoyment and development. It is ideal for special occasions and pairs beautifully with fine dishes such as lamb, beef, or aged cheeses. Its depth, structure, and elegance make it an unforgettable experience for connoisseurs and lovers of great Bordeaux wines.
Château Léoville Las Cases
Information about the winemaker:
Welcome to the world of Château Léoville Las Cases, one of the most sublime wineries in the prestigious Bordeaux region. This historic estate, located in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation on the left bank of the Gironde, is not just a place of viticulture, but a symbol of elegance, tradition, and exceptional wine quality.
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