Bordeaux Château Las cases 2019 magnum

The Estate

Château Léoville Las Cases — The Super Second of Saint-Julien

Château Léoville Las Cases stands as one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates, classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Classification yet consistently producing wines of First Growth quality and commanding comparable prices. The estate’s history traces back to the 17th century when it formed part of the vast Léoville domain, which was divided during the French Revolution. The Las Cases portion, bordering the First Growth Château Latour in Pauillac, comprises the historic heart of the original vineyard and has been meticulously managed by the Delon family since 1900.

Under the stewardship of Jean-Hubert Delon, Léoville Las Cases has achieved legendary status for its uncompromising standards and exceptional terroir expression. The estate’s 98-hectare vineyard in the heart of Saint-Julien produces wines of remarkable power, elegance, and longevity, with the grand vin representing only the finest parcels. The 2019 vintage offered in magnum format enhances the wine’s ageing potential and makes an exceptional addition to discerning collectors’ cellars.

This Lot

Available as Magnum (1.5L) — ideal for collectors and long-term cellaring.

Terroir & Grapes

The Clos Léoville — A Privileged Terroir

The estate’s exceptional quality stems from its remarkable terroir, particularly the 55-hectare walled “Grand Clos” that forms the historic core of the vineyard. This privileged site sits on deep Günzian gravel beds over clay-limestone subsoil, providing excellent drainage while allowing the vines to access water reserves during summer. The proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates temperatures and extends the growing season, permitting optimal phenolic ripeness. The vineyard’s position on a gentle plateau bordering Latour gives Las Cases a distinctive character that bridges the power of Pauillac with the finesse of Saint-Julien.

Vinification & Ageing

Traditional Methods, Uncompromising Standards

Léoville Las Cases adheres to exacting standards throughout the winemaking process, beginning with meticulous parcel-by-parcel harvesting and triple sorting to ensure only perfectly ripe grapes enter the cellar. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and wooden vats, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve individual terroir expression. The estate employs gentle extraction techniques and extended maceration periods to build structure while maintaining elegance and aromatic purity.

The grand vin is aged for 18 to 20 months in new French oak barrels, predominantly from the estate’s preferred coopers. This extended élevage in premium wood refines the tannins and integrates the oak seamlessly with the fruit, contributing subtle spice notes without overwhelming the wine’s intrinsic character. Only after rigorous barrel selection and blending does the final assemblage receive the Léoville Las Cases label, with declassified lots reserved for the second wine, Le Petit Lion.

Vintage Character

2019 — A Classical Médoc Vintage

The 2019 vintage in Bordeaux’s Left Bank is increasingly recognized as a classical year of great balance and elegance, particularly favoring the Médoc appellations. The growing season brought ideal conditions with a mild winter, warm spring promoting even budbreak, and a summer marked by two heat waves that concentrated the fruit without causing stress, thanks to well-timed rainfall. September brought cooler temperatures and dry conditions, allowing extended hang time and optimal phenolic ripeness. For Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant estates like Léoville Las Cases, 2019 produced wines of remarkable freshness, precision, and aromatic complexity, with beautifully integrated tannins and excellent ageing potential. The vintage combines the structure for long cellaring with approachability in youth, making it particularly appealing in magnum format.

Tasting Notes

Power Meets Precision

The 2019 Léoville Las Cases reveals the estate’s signature style in magnificent form, combining profound concentration with extraordinary elegance. The nose opens with intense aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry, interwoven with notes of graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf, and subtle violet florals. On the palate, the wine displays remarkable density and structure, with layers of pure dark fruit supported by fine-grained tannins that coat the mouth without heaviness. The texture is simultaneously powerful and refined, showing the estate’s mastery of extraction and élevage. Black olive, crushed stone, and dark chocolate nuances emerge in the mid-palate, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish with refreshing acidity that promises decades of evolution. In magnum format, this wine will develop with particular grace and complexity.

Critics’ Scores

Acclaimed by the World’s Leading Critics

The 2019 vintage of Château Léoville Las Cases has garnered exceptional praise from the international wine press, confirming its status among the vintage’s finest achievements. Lisa Perrotti-Brown awarded the wine 98 points for Wine Advocate, describing it as “an absolutely stunning wine” with “incredible purity and precision.” Vinous awarded 97-99 points, noting its “breathtaking classicism” and comparing it favorably to the estate’s greatest vintages. James Suckling scored it 98-99 points, praising its “phenomenal depth and length.” These accolades underscore the wine’s remarkable quality and its position among Bordeaux’s elite expressions, justifying its reputation as a “super second” that consistently rivals First Growth quality.

Service & Pairing

Serving Recommendations

This powerful yet refined Saint-Julien demands noble companions at table. Pair it with prime cuts of beef such as côte de boeuf or tournedos Rossini, where the wine’s structure complements the meat’s richness while its freshness cuts through the fat. Roasted rack of lamb with herb crust, magret de can