1986 Chateau Leoville-Las Cases, Grand Vin, Saint-Julien, Magnum (1.5L)
Price On Request
100RP100JA98VM
Critic key
RP = Robert ParkerVM = Vinous MediaJA = Jane Anson
Product Description
RP100 "The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he had produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982, because I always preferred the latter vintage. Of course, the two vintages are quite different in style, with the 1986 a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full-bodied nose of sweet, ripe cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated, yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. The wine still seems young, yet it is hard to believe it is not close to full maturity. It is a great example of Leoville Las Cases, and another compelling reason to take a serious look at the top Cabernet Sauvignon-based Medocs of 1986." RP Dec 2002
JA100 "Michel Delon, then owner, believed this to be the greatest wine he ever made. It's not often the case that wines with this much expectation riding on them live up to the hype, but this one did. A stunning wine that, at 33 years old, still feels fresh, concentrated and with a long way left to go. The tannins have the characteristic Las Cases weight and definition to them, giving form and shape to the sweet berry fruit, but the overall impression is of welcoming, juicy pleasure. Harvested from 1 to 17 October. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend." JA for DR May 2019
VM98 "Having tasted the 1986 Léoville Las-Cases countless times, I wondered whether it would ever come round. The news is, it has, and it is beautiful. Stunning delineation on the nose, this has lazer-like focus and breathtaking tension, very mineral-driven with touches of blood orange emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with those once rigid tannins finally softening, layers of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco with a silky-smooth finish. Heavenly! Tasted at the "Judgement of Clapham Junction" dinner in London." NM for VM Mar 2022
Robert Parker writes, "The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases, which Delon believes is his finest vintage (even eclipsing the 1982), exhibited a black/purple color with no signs of age. This full-bodied, brilliantly delineated, super-concentrated wine is close to perfection. Still unevolved and youthful, it needs another 7-10 years of cellaring." Published: Oct 27, 1995
JA100 "Michel Delon, then owner, believed this to be the greatest wine he ever made. It's not often the case that wines with this much expectation riding on them live up to the hype, but this one did. A stunning wine that, at 33 years old, still feels fresh, concentrated and with a long way left to go. The tannins have the characteristic Las Cases weight and definition to them, giving form and shape to the sweet berry fruit, but the overall impression is of welcoming, juicy pleasure. Harvested from 1 to 17 October. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend." JA for DR May 2019
VM98 "Having tasted the 1986 Léoville Las-Cases countless times, I wondered whether it would ever come round. The news is, it has, and it is beautiful. Stunning delineation on the nose, this has lazer-like focus and breathtaking tension, very mineral-driven with touches of blood orange emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with those once rigid tannins finally softening, layers of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco with a silky-smooth finish. Heavenly! Tasted at the "Judgement of Clapham Junction" dinner in London." NM for VM Mar 2022
Robert Parker writes, "The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases, which Delon believes is his finest vintage (even eclipsing the 1982), exhibited a black/purple color with no signs of age. This full-bodied, brilliantly delineated, super-concentrated wine is close to perfection. Still unevolved and youthful, it needs another 7-10 years of cellaring." Published: Oct 27, 1995