At a glance

Producer

Chateau Leoville Las Cases

Region

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$350-$450

Tasting profile

Complex aromas of cassis, graphite, cedar, tobacco, and forest floor. Palate shows dense black fruit, fine minerality, and structured tannin.

Evolution: Over next 5-15 years, tertiary notes of leather, truffle, and tobacco will integrate fully with softened tannins.

At peak: Silky texture balanced with persistent finish, profound complexity and finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Bright and balanced

Tannins

Firm, finely grained, well-integrated

Alcohol

13.5-14.0%

Aging potential

30-40 years with proper cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2060

Optimal window

2024 to 2063

Current status

Approaching optimal maturity

Current condition

The wine currently shows excellent balance with evolving tertiary aromatics, still vigorous tannins and bright acidity.

2016 is a standout vintage in Bordeaux with near-perfect growing conditions. This wine’s high quality fruit, rigorous selection and meticulous vinification allow unusually long aging potential and excellent mid-term drinking windows.

Food pairing

Pair well with rare roasted or grilled red meats (ribeye, lamb), game birds, rich mushroom risottos, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and open complex aromas and flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Leoville Las Cases employs cover cropping, integrated pest management, reduced chemical inputs, and water-efficient irrigation systems.

While not fully organic or biodynamic certified, Chateau Leoville Las Cases adheres to sustainable farming principles emphasizing biodiversity and ecosystem health. Energy consumption is managed carefully, and efforts to minimize waste and use eco-friendly packaging are established. The carbon footprint is typical for a Bordeaux estate exporting worldwide.