New Release: 2023 Leoville Las Cases, "a balance and classicism that delivers on the best of the vintage” (JA)
“an obvious buy and a superb start to the campaign”
– Wine Lister
We have a big new release from Bordeaux, the 2023 vintage of the mighty Chateau Leoville Las Cases. A serious wine with a reputation for First Growth quality, it lives up to the billing in 2023. For Jane Anson, it is “So so good, with a balance and classicism that delivers on the best of the vintage” and merits a stellar 98 points. Combine this with the lowest release price since 2019 and the result is, in the words of analysts Wine Lister, “an obvious buy and a superb start to the campaign”.
Las Cases is revered for its ability to challenge the First Growths in sheer brilliance. For Robert Parker, “Leoville-Las Cases is unquestionably one of the great names and wines of Bordeaux… consistently of first-growth quality”, while Jane Anson highlights how “This is a wine that is often compared to its Pauillac neighbour Latour in profile.” Praise does not come much higher.
The 2023 is a classic example of Las Cases. Jane Anson praises the “Expect inky depths and unashamed austerity” in this towering vintage. James Suckling is also a fan, calling it “Refined and seamless with beautiful tannins that show power and intensity”. Neal Martin calls it “a worthy follow-up to the magnificent 2022”.
Also available is the excellent Clos du Marquis. From its own special vineyard, this is superb in 2023, with James Suckling finding it “full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins”.
With the rumours of substantial price cuts showing themselves to be true. This campaign is set to be one of the most exciting in recent years and one to get on board with as they don’t come around often.
Do take a look and let us know if you would like a case or two secured:
2023 Chateau Leoville Lascases
£831 per case (6*75cl) in bond
£836 per case mags (3*150cl) in bond
98 points Jane Anson
Structured and powerful, this is not as forbidding as En Primeur in many vintages of Las Cases, showing both flesh and florality, but the tannic walls of this great estate remain fully in place, coupled with layers of cassis and bilberry fruits, subtle hints of bitter aniseed, fennel, cola, espresso, squid ink, textured slate tannins. Expect inky depths and unashamed austerity, a wine that will take its time to open, making no excuses for demanding patience. So so good, with a balance and classicism that delivers on the best of the vintage. 80% new oak, 6.6% press wine, 3.79h, harvest September 9 to October 2, 43hl/h yield. First year in the new cellars, with 43.5ha going into the main wine from the historic walled vineyard site. (2024) www.janeanson.com Drink 2035-2055
95-97 points Neal Martin
The 2023 Léoville Las-Cases was picked from September 9 to October 2 at 43hL/ha and matured in 80% new oak barrels. This has a very precise bouquet, and, like the Clos du Marquis, it is imbued with an attractive estuarine element—aromatics that transport the imbiber to the banks of the Gironde. The oak is neatly integrated; 80% is much more optimal than 100% would have been. The palate is lightly spiced on the entry, moderately deep and quite lively on the mid-palate. This is a more linear Las-Cases than recent vintages, conveying a sense of “seriousness” toward the almost saturnine finish. Impressive in terms of persistence, this is a worthy follow-up to the magnificent 2022, but it will demand patience. (2024) www.vinous.com
97-98 points James Suckling
Exceptional quality of cabernet comes through here, with a lot of graphite, lead pencil, crushed stone, walnut and currant fruit. It grows and expands on the palate, remaining in focus at the same time. Refined and seamless with beautiful tannins that show power and intensity. It rolls across the palate with verve. 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 4% merlot. (2024) www.jamessuckling.com
2023 Clos du Marquis
£231 per case (6*75cl) in bond
£236 per case mags (3*150cl) in bond
95-96 points James Suckling
This offers beautiful blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity that adds tension and freshness to the mid-palate. It’s full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins. Long finish. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. What will be better between 2022 and 2023? www.jamessuckling.com
Offered subject to final confirmation. Available in 2026
