100
Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note
Still inky hued and not yet in its prime, the 2005 Château Leoville Las Cases is nevertheless jaw dropping good, and certainly a perfect wine in this reviewer’s opinion. Cassis, ripe currants, leather, graphite, crushed stone, and smoke all define the aromatics, and it has a massive, full-bodied profile on the palate as well as the more focused, regal style of the Chateau. There’s no shortage of tannins, it has incredible purity, integrated acidity, and a monster of a finish. It actually has a touch of Latour-like character, and it needs another 4-6 years, if not a decade, to hit prime time, and will have 30 years of longevity. The 2005 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, representing only 37% of the total production.
98
Wine Spectator Tasting Note
Sleek and racy, with black currant and fig fruit laced liberally with a bright iron streak and singed alder notes. This is very tightly coiled, as the fruit seems to be preserved for now, while the cold fireplace character holds sway. A superb energy in reserve gives this more than enough time to wait. Could outlast them all in this vintage. *Collectible* (JM)
94
Vinous Tasting Note
(88% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 5% cabernet franc; 13.1% alcohol; 65% new oak) Good full ruby. Brooding, primary, cabernet-dominated aromas of cassis, currant, bitter chocolate and minerals. Dense and opulent in the mouth, with the vibrant black fruit flavors lifted by a violet quality. Still a bit youthfully austere, but wonderfully consistent and energetic from start to finish. Quite explosive on the end, finishing with big but noble tannins and palate-saturating fruits and minerals. Jean-Hubert Delon felt that adding any more merlot or cabernet franc could only have diluted the great cabernet sauvignon of 2005. This will need at least a decade of cellaring and should go on for decades.
99
James Suckling Tasting Note
A stunningly complex and complete nose of flowers, dark fruits, and minerals. Very perfumed and subtle at the same time. The palate is full, yet tight and powerful with perfect tannins and a long, long finish. The quality of the tannins is phenomenal...
98
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
The 2005 Léoville Las Cases is a classic that numbers among the wines of the vintage in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with notes of dark berries, cassis, incense, burning embers, sweet soil tones, dark chocolate and cigar wrapper, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a vibrant core of fruit, lively acids and sweet, powdery tannins. More elegant and refined than the hulking, uncompromising 2006, the 2005 is nevertheless a powerful, tightly wound wine that will reward further bottle age, even if it's actually quite expressive today. (WK)
