In the glass
Aroma: pure cassis, violets, burning embers, cigar box, cedar
Palate: black plum, graphite, dense concentrated fruit, precise structure, palate-staining finish
Saint-Julien Deuxieme Cru Classe (1855) in the super-second category: extraordinarily concentrated cassis fruit with near first-growth precision, dense tannins demanding patient cellaring of 15 or more years.
What it pairs with
-
Saddle of venison with black pepper sauce
The wine's massive tannin structure and dark fruit demand the intensity of aged game with a peppery reduction. -
Truffle-roasted Pauillac lamb
Lamb's mineral character and earthy truffle are transformed by the wine's concentrated black fruit and cigar-box cedar. -
Aged Mimolette or mature Comté (36 months)
Crystalline, nutty aged cheese cuts through the wine's dense tannin and highlights its violet florality. -
Wagyu beef sirloin
Extraordinary marbling requires the extraordinary tannin grip of a great Las Cases vintage.
How to serve Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Saddle of venison with black pepper sauce, Truffle-roasted Pauillac lamb, Aged Mimolette or mature Comté (36 months). Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Léoville-Las Cases descends from the original Léoville estate divided after the French Revolution. The Delon family has owned it since the late 19th century, producing wines at consistently elevated quality from the walled Grand Clos adjoining Château Latour. The 2022 vintage drew top-tier critic reviews (reviewer-points tuples on scores array).
- 1855 — Classified as Deuxième Cru in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification
- 1900 — Grand Vin label with 'Grand Clos' designation formalised
- 2007 — Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases introduced as official second wine
- 2022 — 2022 vintage drew top-tier critic reviews from Wine Advocate and James Suckling (reviewer-points tuples on scores array)
Facts
- Producer
- Château Léoville-Las Cases
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (6%)
- Classification
- Saint-Julien AOC, Deuxième Cru Classé (1855)
- Oak
- Approximately 90% new French oak barrels, 18 months
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Production
- 96,000 bottles
- Price
- €200-500 at retail
- Drinking window
- 15-40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1900
Scores
- Wine Advocate 100 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)
- James Suckling 100 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)
- James Suckling 98 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases
What does Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases taste like?
On the nose, pure cassis, violets, burning embers, cigar box, cedar. On the palate, black plum, graphite, dense concentrated fruit, precise structure, palate-staining finish. Structurally full-bodied, high tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of the great super-seconds of Bordeaux: extraordinarily concentrated cassis fruit with almost first-growth precision, dense tannins demanding patient cellaring of 15 or more years.
When should I drink Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases?
Drink 15-40 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases?
Saddle of venison with black pepper sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Truffle-roasted Pauillac lamb and Aged Mimolette or mature Comté (36 months). The wine's massive tannin structure and dark fruit demand the intensity of aged game with a peppery reduction.
What grapes are in Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (6%). The wine is classified as Saint-Julien AOC, Deuxième Cru Classé (1855).