Château Léoville-Las Cases

W W W . D O M A I N E S - D E L O N . C O M 2012

ASSEMBLAGE / BLEND

Cabernet Sauvignon 74%
Merlot 15%
Cabernet Franc 11%

DATE DE VENDANGE / HARVEST PERIOD

Du 4 au 18 octobre 2012
From 4th to 18th October 2012

ANALYSES / LAB ANALYZES

Degré : 13,09 %vol. - Acidité Totale : 3,82 g H2SO4/l - pH : 3,58 - IPT : 64
Alcohol degree : 13.09 %vol. - Total Acidity : 3.82 gH2SO4/l - pH : 3.58 - IPT : 64

LE MILLéSIME / VINTAGE 2012

Le millésime 2012 fut marqué par un développement végétatif lent et tardif en raison d´un printemps très frais et humide. Les décalages de stades liés às; un débourrement très étalé furent en partie corrigés par le temps sec et ensoleillé qui s´installa à partir de mi-juillet. La véraison et la maturation bénéficièrent alors de conditions idéales jusqu´à la récolte, les raisins conservant un parfait état sanitaire malgré la succession d´averses observée durant les vendanges.

The vintage 2012 was characterised by a slow, late growth cycle due to a very cool and wet spring. The budburst was spread out over time and created a variation in the stages of development that was to be partially evened out by the dry, sunny period that began in mid-July. The colour change and ripening occurred in ideal weather conditions that continued through to harvest-time. The grapes remained perfectly healthy despite rainy spells during picking.

NOTES DE DéGUSTATION / TASTING NOTES

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER / JEFF LEVE

93/100 Tobacco, cedar wood, blackberries and fresh herbs create the nose. On the palate, the wine delivers a classic blast of fresh, concentrated, cassis, salty, mineral driven tannins and a chewy, long, cassis filled finish. This will be better with a decade of age.
(July 2015)

FALSTAFF / PETER MOSER

93/100
Dunkles, dichtes Rubingranat, aber etwas durchscheinend. Nase mit schőner, komplexer dunkler Frucht: Kirsche, Blaubeeren, schwarze Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Teer, dazu mineralische Noten, auch etwas Minze. Am Gaumen dunkle Frucht, sehr geradlinig, im Kern sűß, kraftvoll, hat Biss. Fűr den Jahrgang ein sehr wuchtiger Wein.
(May 2015)

WINE ADVOCATE / ROBERT PARKER

93+/100
The bigger sister or brother of Le Petit Lion, depending on your point of view, the 2012 Léoville Las Cases has gorgeous minerality, plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit that is super-pure, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and firm structured, slightly austere personality. This wine is built for the long-term. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it attained 13.5% alcohol, which is substantial for a 2012 Médoc. It has depth and richness, but also a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink over the following 15-20.
(April 2015)

WINE SPECTATOR / JAMES MOLESWORTH

94/100
This is very tight at this early stage, with a wall of smoldering charcoal holding the core of dark plum, blackberry paste and cassis in reserve. The sleek finish shows admirable length and a mouthwatering echo of iron. This harnesses the austerity of the vintage to its advantage, and should unwind slowly in the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10,000 cases made. (March 2015)

BETTANE & DESSEAUVE

18,5/20
Concentration vraiment étonnante pour le millésime, texture idéale, race formidable, bref le Cabernet Sauvignon médocain às; son sommet !

JAMES SUCKLING

93/100
So pure on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries and licorice. Hints of stones. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and a long and racy finish. Layered tannins. Citrusy undertones. Bright acidity. Better in 2019.
(February 2015)

WINE ENTHUSIAST / ROGER VOSS

95-97/100
This combines considerable power and concentration with rich, impressive fruits. It has both style and elegance, with density to give it great aging potential. The tannins are firm while also having a velvet texture. The wine, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, is for serious aging. Drink from 2025.
(January 2015)

DECANTER / STEVEN SPURRIER

18,25/20
Superb colour, great depth of concentration shows the Pauillac character of Las Cases, severe and uncompromising now, but a great future. (April 2013)

JEAN-MARC QUARIN

17,25/20
Couleur sombre, intense, belle et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, mûr crémeux et profond. Très belle entrée en bouche grasse et moelleuse. Le vin se développe tramé, suave, complexe au milieu avec du goût, une chair tendre qui circule au-dessus d'une trame serrée. C'est délicieux et très bien constitué. Très bonne longueur. (...) .
(Avril 2013)

JEANNIE CHO LEE

93/100
January 2014

WEIN GABRIEL / RENE GABRIEL

18/20
(September 2020)

REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE / OLIVIER POELS

17,5/20
Juin 2013

YVES BECK

94-96/100

MATTHEW JUKES

18/20

MICHAEL SCHUSTER / WORLD OF FINE WINE

93/100

ANDREW JEFFORD / WORLD OF FINE WINE

94/100

VINOUS / NEAL MARTIN

93/100
The 2012 Léoville Las Cases has a very fragrant bouquet of raspberry, wild strawberry and cedar aromas, all lively and focused; touches of potpourri develop in the glass. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins matched with a fine bead of acidity. This is one of the more elegant Las Cases wines in recent years, nicely poised, offering succulent red berry fruit mixed with spice and white pepper toward the cohesive finish. Excellent. This is a very fine Las Cases and certainly the youngest and most approachable. Tasted at the chateau.
(December 2019)