Leoville Las Cases: Vineyards, Winemaking, 8 Best Wines (2024)

The iconic Chateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the oldest and largest estates in the Medoc. 

Its classic terroir-driven Bordeaux reds, right from the Grand Vin, have mesmerized even the toughest critics year after year.

Let’s explore the colorful history, terroir, and the brilliant winemaking practices of this Saint-Julien estate. Also, find out the best Leoville Las Cases wines that are worthy of your wine collection.

We’ll also tell you about a simple, secure method of building a wine collection like a pro!

A Quick Intro To Chateau Leoville Las Cases

The Chateau Leoville Las Cases wine estate is situated in the St-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. It was identified as a Second Growth estate in the 1855 Classification of Medoc and Graves. 

It’s owned by Domaines Delon, the proprietor of Chateau Potensac (Medoc) and Chateau Nenin (Pomerol.) 

One of the oldest classified growths of Bordeaux, it produces three classic St-Julien appellation wines with Cabernet Sauvignon as the star grape. The wine flavors are enhanced with varying quantities of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape varieties.

Even though the Leoville Las Cases estate is a Deuxieme Cru Classe, its high-quality wines compete with 1er cru wines like Pomerol.

Let’s rewind a bit and see how it all began. 

A Brief History of Chateau Leoville Las Cases

Jean de Moytie, a member of the Bordeaux Parliament, set the foundation of Leoville Las Cases. He owned a vineyard in the Saint Julien appellation of Medoc, from which he produced his first wine in 1638.

About a century later, the estate was passed to Alexandre de Gasq through marriage. He gave it the name “Leoville,” meaning Lionville. The Gasq family started cultivating smaller berries, trellised the rows with pinewood, used oak barrels for aging, and kept the wine sulfur-free.

Under the Gasqs, Leoville became one of the biggest Bordeaux estates with more than 300 hectares of vine plantings.

The economic crisis during the French Revolution forced the Gasq family to sell a part of the Leoville estate, resulting in the formation of Chateau Leoville Barton.

In 1840, the property was further divided into two - Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Leoville Poyferre. 

In the late 19th century, Theophile Skawinski (the estate’s general manager) purchased the estate. He further passed the ownership to the Delon family.

In 1902, the estate made its first official second wine, “Clos du Marquis.”

Michel Delon, the third-generation winemaker, produced some of the best collectibles of the appellations that commanded prices comparable to the first growths.

Today, Michel’s son, Jean-Hubert Delon, and his daughter, Genevieve, manage this estate.

The Brilliant Vineyards Of Chateau Leoville Las Cases

The vineyard plots of Chateau Leoville Las Cases are spread across 98 hectares in the Saint Julien appellation.

Situated on the bank of the Gironde river, the vineyards experience a distinct terroir that it shares with Chateau Latour and Beychevelle.

The soils are primarily Quaternary gravel with gravelly sand and clay subsoils. It adds exotic smoky flavors to the wine. 

The Gironde also regulates the climate, lowering the risk of frost and promoting early ripening of the grape varieties.

The vineyards are primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot vines.

Las Cases’ best vineyard is Grand Clos, a walled-in parcel to the north of St-Julien, bordering Pauillac. It sits on the eastern hills giving the Cabernet vines maximum sun exposure.

The wine estate focuses on organic farming and traditional winemaking techniques.

Leoville Las Cases Winemaking: An Art Perfected Through Decades

Leoville Las Cases’ traditional winemaking techniques are refined through modern influences, like:

• The ripe fruit is fermented in temperature-controlled vats made of wood, concrete, and stainless steel. The oak vats vary in age - the oldest being almost 50 years old.
• After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels. The age of the barrel depends on the type of wine.
• Before the wine is barreled, the barrel is washed with sulfur to ensure the wine can endure travel.

Although Cabernet Sauvignon dominates each Leoville Las Cases wine, the percentage varies from wine to wine.

Let’s explore the different wine styles.

The Exotic Leoville Las Cases Wines

Leoville Las Cases produces three red Bordeaux blend wines with varying percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grape varieties. 

A. Chateau Leoville Las Cases

The greatest wine of the estate, the Grand Vin reflects the unique terroirs. The complex fruit mostly comes from the Clos Leoville Las Cases vineyard.

This deuxieme Grand Cru wine has intense ripe fruit flavors of blackcurrant, cassis, and wild blueberries with subtle floral aromas and finely grained tannin.

B. Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases

This is the second wine of the estate. This red wine is made from younger vine plantings that are not yet ready for the Grand Vin.

The blend of this second wine generally comprises 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc with small quantities of Petit Verdot.

With dominant black fruit flavors, this second wine is also characterized by graphite minerality, grainy tannins, and tobacco aromas.

C. Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis is fine Bordeaux wine produced from the fruit from the vineyards that weren’t officially a part of Leoville Las Cases.

It’s a well-structured wine that exemplifies the harmony between terroir and winemaking.

Planning to introduce your friends to these fine wines?

Serving Leoville Las Cases Wines

Leoville Las Cases wines are not made to be drunk young, so make sure you serve a vintage that is ready to be devoured. 

If you’re serving a young bottle, let the wine sit in the decanter for 3-6 hours before drinking.

Leoville Las Cases wines are best served at 15oC (60oF) with classic meat dishes like veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, and game. You can also serve Asian dishes, fish, mushrooms, and pasta.

Want to know the best vintage to serve at your dinner party or to store in your cellar?

Best Chateau Leoville Las Cases Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are some of the best Leoville Las Cases wines you should go for.

1. 1986 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grapes Varieties Limited Edition Case' 

The 1986 Chateau Leoville Las Cases comprises two bottles of Chateau Leoville Las Cases and one bottle of four varietal wines - Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grape varieties.

If you want to experience the exceptional terroir of Chateau Leoville Las Cases, then this is the one to choose!

Price of 1986 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grapes Varieties Limited Edition Case': $4,991

2. 1960 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville'

The second wine on the list is the 1960 vintage of Chateau Leoville Las Cases Grand Vin.

This delicious red wine is loved for its intense black currant and cassis taste, bright acidity, and refined tannin. On the nose, you get exotic cedar and tobacco aromas balanced by berry scents. 

Price of 1960 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville': $1,114

3. 1989 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville' 9 Collection Assortment Box

One of Leoville Las Cases’ rarest collections, this wooden assortment box comprises three brilliant Grand Vin vintages - 1989, 1999, and 2009.

Price of 1989 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville' 9 Collection Assortment Box: $1,541

4. 2016 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville'

A dark and rich Bordeaux wine, the 2016 Grand Vin de Leoville gives off intense dark fruit (primarily wild blueberries and cassis) aromas. 

On the palate, this French wine has a perfect harmony between tannins and bright acidity.

Price of 2016 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville': $348

5. 2009 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville'

Another brilliant French wine, this 2009 Clos Leoville Las Cases showcases the exceptional terroir of Bordeaux. 

The 2009 vintage of Grand Vin de Leoville is a concentrated red wine with elegant finesse and a long finish. The wine has fruity aromas of cassis, black currant, roasted fig, and plum.

Price of 2009 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville': $394

6. 2005 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville'

The 2005 Chateau Leoville Las Cases vintage scored a perfect 100 from the Wine Spectator magazine.

It has an aromatic bouquet of blackcurrant, mineral, licorice, and cassis. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a velvety creme de cassis finish and supple tannin.

Price of 2005 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville': $380

7. 1992 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Clos du Marquis'

Smooth, delicate, and elegant on the palate, the 1992 vintage has classic black fruit flavors. On the nose, you get creme de cassis and tobacco aromas with subtle leather notes.

We suggest you go big and get a magnum bottle of this one!

Price of 1992 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Clos du Marquis': $143

8. 2016 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases'

A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot with 8% Cabernet Franc grape varieties, the 2016 vintage showcases dominant Cabernet Sauvignon notes. 

Floral and fruity on the nose, this vintage of the estate’s second wine has blackcurrant flavor, supple tannin, and bright acidity on the palate.

Price of 2016 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases': $88

Should You Invest In Leoville Las Cases Wines?

Leoville Las Cases wines reach maturity after 20-50 years of aging - a great opportunity for new wine collectors to add an exceptional Bordeaux blend to their collection.

The vintages consistently get high scores from critics. Its 2019 vintage scored a 98 from James Suckling and a 97 from Robert Parker. In fact, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate compared its barrel sample to that of Chateau Haut-Brion.

Moreover, these wines have provided reasonably good returns over the years. Take these for example:

• The 2017 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville' vintage grew by 27%, from $192 to $244 in a single year (May 2020 - April 2021.)
• The 2012 vintage of the grand vin went from $155 in 2020 to $190 in 2021 - a 22% growth.

But before you buy a Grand Vin, you need to consider if you’re buying the right vintage. Some of the best vintages are 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, and 2009.

Also, you need to make sure that you store your Leoville Las Cases in a safe, secure, and temperature-controlled environment to help the wine gain its best expression.

You could do all this yourself.

But, the easiest way to do this is to enlist a trusted wine investment company like Vinovestto help buy, store, and sell fine collectible wines effortlessly.

Invest In Best Leoville Las Cases And Other Fine Vintage Wines Through Vinovest

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Add A Classic Leoville Las Cases To Your Collection

While well-aged Leoville Las Cases wines are perfect to celebrate special occasions, they’re also excellent long-term investment options. 

Add this great wine to your amazing wine collection and let it age beautifully in a safe cellar until you want to drink it or sell it. Just sign upon Vinovest to explore the vast world of wine investment.