CHATEAU LEOVILLE-LAS-CASES 'Grand Vin de Leoville' 2eme Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2004 Bottle

Description

The 2004 Château Léoville Las Cases is an exceptional Bordeaux that has received high acclaim, earning 95 points from James Suckling for its enticing aromas of ceps, mushrooms, and blackberries, as well as a full-bodied, round, and soft character, perfect for immediate enjoyment or aging. Wine Enthusiast also awarded it 95 points, praising its rich concentration with dark tannins and jammy fruit complemented by hints of black chocolate. Decanter highlighted its precision and layers of tight black fruits, cedar, and fresh mint, while the Wine Advocate rated it 93 points for its deep black currant notes intertwined with cherries and wet stones, showcasing superb concentration and admirable symmetry. Vinous also noted its classic style and balanced palate, underscoring its allure.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
This is so beautiful now with ceps, mushrooms, bark and blackberries, as well as some flowers and black olives. It’s full-bodied, round and soft. Lovely now. Drink and enjoy now, or hold.

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
(at Decanter's Fine Wine Encounter 2018, Shanghai, 17 Nov 2018)
Part of Anson: Tasting Léoville Las Cases wines back to 1989
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2040
A cooler year than 2003 or 2005, and the precision is clear, with layers of tight black fruits, cedar and fresh mint confidently on display. It's pretty austere right now, but its weight and texture is far more impressive than its youth. In vintages like this, it's clear that the terroir always takes precedence here. There is 90% new oak here, and yet you barely get a whisper of it besides the soft, cold ash smoke on the finish.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 95 points
This “super second” lives up to its billing. It is rich and concentrated with dark tannins that lie over the ripe, jammy fruit and black, rich chocolate flavors. Acidity and wood are there, but only just hints after the richness of the fruit. A real, magnificent aging wine. — Roger Voss

VINOUS 93 points
The 2004 Léoville–Las Cases has the tough job of following the 2005. It offers black fruit mixed with sous-bois, smoke and sage aromas, now moving into its secondary stage but without the intensity of great vintages like 2005 or 2010. The palate is well balanced, with off-dry tannin. Classic in style, fresh and poised, leading to a lovely, quite sensual finish that leaves you wishing for another sip. Very fine. - Neal Martin

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93 points
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2012 - 2028
Performing better from bottle than it did from cask, this blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc has put on weight over the last year. It exhibits the classic style of both Las Cases and St.-Julien in its deep black currant notes interwoven with sweet cherries, wet stones, and toasty vanillin. Made in a structured, medium to full-bodied style with superb concentration, beautiful purity, and admirable symmetry, this beauty is one of the strongest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2028. Also tasted: 2004 Clos du Marquis (88)