Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2012

Professional Ratings

• 96 Wine Enthusiast
  This combines considerable power and concentration with rich, impressive fruits. It has both style and elegance, with density to give it great aging potential. The tannins are firm while also having a velvet texture. The wine, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, is for serious aging. Drink from 2025. Cellar Selection.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berries, plums, loamy soil, baking spices and pencil shavings, the 2012 Léoville Las Cases is medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, with impressive concentration for the vintage, supple tannins and a charming, enveloping profile. Seamless and beautifully integrated, at age 10, this quintessential classic is already surprisingly approachable, though of course it still has several decades of graceful evolution ahead of it. Best After 2022

• 95 Jeb Dunnuck
  Standing out for its sheer purity and class, the 2012 Leoville-Las Cases is about as seamless as they come, with medium to full-bodied richness, fabulous notes of crème de cassis, cedary spice, plums, spice and wood smoke, with its oak component pushed well into the background. While not a blockbuster, it is impeccably balanced, with a full, layered mid-palate, building tannin and a rock-solid finish. Give this straight up classy 2012 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following two decades or more.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  This is among the tightest wines at this early stage, with a wall of smoldering charcoal holding the core of dark plum, blackberry paste and cassis in reserve. The sleek finish shows admirable length and a mouthwatering echo of iron. This harnesses the austerity of the vintage to its advantage, and should unwind slowly in the cellar.
• 93 James Suckling
  So pure on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries and licorice. Hints of stones. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and a long and racy finish. Layered tannins. Citrusy undertones. Bright acidity. Better in 2019.
• 93 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
  The 2012 Château Léoville Las Cases continues to evolve as a wine between the First Growths and Super Seconds (top quality Second Growths). Over the past two decades, the wines have shown more power than I could have ever imagined would have come out of Saint-Julien—some would argue that since Léoville Las Cases is only a stone's throw from Château Latour, it should be considered more like a powerful Pauillac. While this vintage shows plenty of black fruits and richness, there is elegance here that is very becoming of this wine. (Tasted: April 9, 2013, Saint-Julien, France) barrel sample: 91-93