At a glance

Producer

Château Léoville Las Cases

Region

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (typically ~65-80% Cabernet Sauvignon, ~15-25% Merlot, ~5-12% Cabernet Franc)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$270 - $340 USD / 750ml bottle (as of 2024; auction and retail averages)

Tasting profile

Blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, cigar box, tobacco leaf, dark cherry and plum with hints of earth, truffle, pencil shavings, and classic Bordeaux minerality. Tannins are silky; finish is long and complex with evolving tertiary nuances.

Evolution: Fruit character will recede further, amplifying earthy, leather, forest floor, and savory notes. Palate will grow softer, silkier, and tertiary aromas dominate.

At peak: At peak, a magical harmony of dark fruit, cedar, smoke, graphite, leather, spice, and deep mineral core; seamless, elegant, nuanced, persistent finish

Structure

Acidity

Medium to high, providing freshness and balance; acidity has preserved vibrancy and aided aging

Tannins

Fine-grained, fully resolved with a velvety texture; structure remains but no longer assertive

Alcohol

Medium (about 12.5%); fully integrated, carrying the palate without heat

Aging potential

30 years from vintage or longer in top storage; mature now but still vigorous

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2013 to 2039

Optimal window

2010 to 2042

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Excellent provenance bottles are at or near peak, with resolved tannins, integrated structure, and classic secondary/tertiary complexity

The 2002 Château Léoville Las Cases is in its peak because the tannins have fully resolved, the acidity remains lively, and the fruit, earth, and savory notes are all harmonized. From the late 2010s onward, tertiary aromas (leather, truffle, underbrush) increase, but vibrant core fruit persists. After 2030, the wine will lose some fruit intensity and freshness, with tertiary and oxidative notes gaining, possibly at the expense of optimal harmony.

Food pairing

Exceptional with classic roast lamb (especially with herbs de Provence), dry-aged beef ribeye, duck breast, or venison with mushroom sauce. Pairs well with aged Comté or Gruyère cheese, and truffle risotto. As the wine ages further, heartier stews, braised meats, and autumnal mushroom dishes will be ideal, as tertiary flavors intensify.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — While the tannins are fully resolved and the wine has a velvety texture, decanting will help to aerate the wine further, enhancing its aromatic profile and allowing any sediment to settle.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Limited use of chemicals, soil husbandry, biodiversity, integrated pest management

The estate is not certified organic or biodynamic, but employs sustainable viticulture. Environmental impact is being considered and improved, but not at cutting-edge levels as of 2002.