2023 Chateau Leoville Las Cases Preisabschlag -40%

DECANTER: "Another great vintage from Lagrange. Strongly scented, lots of Cabernet markers, liquorice, toast, cedar, tobacco, some dark chocolate and dark bramble fruit - blackcurrants and blueberries with perfumed accents too. Smooth and supple, almost velvety on the palate, this has a thickness of fine tannins, and plump fruit with a great juiciness. A touch of bitterness on the finish - some iodine notes, oyster shell salinity and some oak toast. I like the plump, almost fleshy aspect, balancing the acidity with a hint of sweetness."

Der charismatische Bruno Borie, niemals bescheiden, Gutes über seine Weine zu erzählen, hat mit dem 2023er einen wahrhaft grandiosen Ducru im Keller. Unzählige 97 und 98 Punkte Bewertungen geben ihm mehr als Recht. Deshalb dürfte ihm die Entscheidung den 2023er mit 35% Rabatt auf den Vorgängerjahrgang anzubieten, auch nicht ganz einfach gefallen sein. 85% Cabernet formen einen ungemein dichten, nahezu Pauillac-style, St. Julien, der sich sehr muskulös und durchtrainiert zeigte. Ein super 2023er der bereits bei der Verkostung immens Spaß bereitete.

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?"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very refined and classy, with ultra-fine tannins and blackcurrant and hazelnut character, suggesting very pure fruit and precise picking times. Medium-bodied and chewy, yet caressing."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The purity of fruit is so beautiful here with blackcurrants and violets, as well as freshly shaved lead pencil. It’s medium-bodied with refined tannins that are wonderfully polished and give plenty of texture. Goes on for minutes. Second wine of Ducru. 58% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot."

Das Schwesterweingut der Bartons, eigentlich das Haupt-Weingut. Mit 40,50 Euro ist dies ein super Deal. Wir hatten zweimal die Gelegenheit, Langoa und Leoville zu verkosten und waren immer wieder mehr als angetan. Super Bewertungen bis hin zu 97 Punkten nebst 18,5 Punkten im Weinwisser, bestätigen unsere Eindrücke. Beeindruckend, dass in dieser Cuvee Merlot mit 41% vertreten ist, Cabernet Sauvignon addiert 56,5% hinzu, der Rest ist Cabernet Franc. All dies ergibt einen unglaublich tiefen und vielschichtigen Wein, der bei der Verkostung irre Spaß machte. Gehen Sie hier unbedingt in Großflaschen, bei diesem Preis nahezu ein Muss.

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackberries and blueberries with stone and sandalwood undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins that are polished and refined. Long finish. Solid and rather muscular. Could move up a notch."

DECANTER: "A complete knockout of a wine in 2023. Deep, vibrant purple in colour. Lots of milk chocolate, some exotic spices and black fruit touches on the nose, along with floral scents of roses and violets - smells gorgeous. Supple and filling, an immediate weight and texture on the palate, thick silk and ripe fruit, massy but then almost straight away quite clean and crisp. Forward and focussed, tannins RE supportive but so well integrated into the wine - almost a seamless expression - with plenty of underlying power. It’s delicious. Very drinkable, finessed and restrained, nothing overdone, no harshness. Everything feels in its place. Juicy and succulent cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry with high mouthwatering acidity. A great wine, I love it because it’s layered and lifted, you can feel the sculpting with muscles on show and it feels very ‘put together’. There’s lots of strict Cabernet, but this has a touch of plushness which you can't help but smile at. A top buy in 2023. 40% grand production, taken from 60% of the estate. 15% press wine."

VINUM: "Wunderbar verführerisch frisch im Duft; expressive Frucht, knackiger Gaumen, der Wein hat Finesse und Präzision, ungemein harmonisch, mit feingliedriger Struktur und einem rotfruchtigen Finale. Bravo!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is very fresh and crunchy with blackberries, dark cherries and hints of crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied with impressive acidity and fine, silky tannins. Shows depth and structure, too. Bright and vivid on the finish. Lightly chunky. Second wine of Leoville Las Cases. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 8% cabernet franc."