Tasting Notes
Neal Martin 92
The 1999 Léoville Las-Cases is a vintage that I have not encountered for several years. It has a generous bouquet for the vintage, showing slightly gamy red fruit on the nose, and perhaps just a touch of Brettanomyces. Yet it remains attractive, with orange peel scents developing alongside cedar and sous-bois. The medium-bodied palate presents sappy red fruit and a touch of black truffle alongside cedar and a hint of dark chocolate. It is not a complex Las-Cases, yet feels long and quite tender. Drink now and over the next 15 years. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the estate.
Anticipated maturity: 2019-2035
Vinous 92
Full ruby-red. Captivating nose of roasted currant, cedar and minerals, with a floral lift; quite fresh for the year. Sweet, supple, dense and full, with no dip in the middle. This is impressively chewy and concentrated for a ’99. Finishes long and flavorful, with sweet, building tannins.
Wine Advocate 91
Tasted at the Las-Cases off-line at The Square. A consistent tasting note here. The ’99 retains a rather backward nose of cigar box, cedar and undergrowth, here with a faint touch of rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied and well defined though remaining stubborn and backward. Yet there is a lovely silky texture and over time it loosens its tie and develops intriguing honeyed notes towards an increasingly plush finish. The ’99 may merit a higher score in a couple of years. Tasted February 2011.
