Château Léoville Las Cases - St.-Julien 2001 (750ml)
Price: $299.00
| Producer | Château Léoville Las Cases |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | St.-Julien |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2001 |
| Sku | 124837 |
| Size | 750ml |
Wine Enthusiast: 97 Points
A classic in development a wine that will last for decades. It is certainly powerful but already the shape is finalized with its plums and berries settling down with perfumes acidity just enough tannins and a warm welcoming richness. A great argument for the superiority of 2001 over 2000.
Vinous Media: 96 Points
The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it, a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly, I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam, spice, graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous, the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases, in fact. But who’s complaining? Certainly not me.
Even so, the 2001 is ultimately a mid-weight Las Cases, with plenty of opulent fruit, but not quite the tannic heft that is such a signature of this reference-point St. Julien. Readers lucky enough to own the 2001 are in for a real treat. This is an especially fine bottle, perhaps the finest I have come across. Aside from all the technical analyses and descriptors, what really matters most is that the 2001 is a wine that delivers immense drinking pleasure. I absolutely loved it. (Drink between 2021-2051)
Vinous: 96 Points
The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam spice graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases in fact. But who?s complaining? Certainly not me. Even so the 2001 is ultimately a mid-weight Las Cases with plenty of opulent fruit but not quite the tannic heft that is such a signature of this reference-point St. Julien. Readers lucky enough to own the 2001 are in for a real treat. This is an especially fine bottle perhaps the finest I have come across. Aside from all the technical analyses and descriptors what really matters most is that the 2001 is a wine that delivers immense drinking pleasure. I absolutely loved it. (Drink between 2021-2051)
James Suckling: 95 Points
A very typical Las Cases with a Pauillac note even though it?s St.-Julien. Lead pencil dried herb currant and black olive. Medium-to full-bodied firm and creamy with a long finish. It?s very persistent. Pretty austerity. Be sure to decant this a couple of hours in advance. Drink or hold.
Decanter: 95 Points
Pencil lead, leather, smoked cedar and reserved but carefully sculpted cassis and bilberry fruit - this is Léoville-Las Cases showing its classicism in a vintage that is the home of balanced, nuanced and elegant wines. It continues to open and gather depth over 15 minutes in the glass, suggesting there is plenty of potential ahead, but the tannins have now softened and integrated into the overall structure. Grip and freshness runs right through the palate, and a Cabernet-dominated savouriness makes you salivate through the finish. Plenty of power at 21 years old. Beautiful dark fruits, a successful reflection of a vintage that still has plenty to offer. (Drink between 2021-2044)
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet colored with a touch of brick it charges out of the glass sporting energetic notes of kirsch blackberry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles with underlying scents of star anise cumin seed potpourri oolong tea and tobacco leaf plus a waft of incense. The medium-bodied exquisitely elegant palate explodes with a myriad of exotic spice floral and dried berries notes framed by soft tannins and seamless freshness finishing long and with impeccable poise and sophistication.
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
A long refined beam of gently mulled black currant and plum fruit is inlaid liberally with a smoldering charcoal note while tobacco ganache and warm paving stone accents form the background. A touch reticent through the finish with the charcoal edge winning out. Shows lovely cut and length.?Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2020 through 2035.
Jeb Dunnuck: 94 Points
Coming from an underrated vintage in Bordeaux, the 2001 Ch&a
