In 2014, for the first time, Las Cases picked its Cabernet Sauvignon at 14.2 degrees, while the final blend weighed in at 13.8 degrees, an indication of how ripe this variety was in 2014. The wine is a little less austere than usual at this age with a hitherto unknown velvety, soft feel. Great length. A blend of 79% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 11% cabernet franc. pH . 3,49 – IPT . 70. 95 points

The Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases 2014 is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot cropped at 33 hectoliter per hectare matured in 85% new oak. There is 6.8% vin de presse this year. Picked between 30 September and 13 October over 12 days, it has an intense, graphite-scented bouquet, one of the most Pauillac-like that I have encountered, extremely precise and perhaps less flamboyant than recent vintages. This is very controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, succinctly pitched acidity and an almost pixelated finish that lingers long and tende rly. I love the elegance here – this is an outstanding wine from Jean-Hubert Delon and his team and dare I say, equal to some of the First Growths. 94-96 points

There`s no denying that this is built to last, as Las-Cases often is, but it also has an immediacy that is not always apparent in young samples. Aromatic, cedary and very complete with compact tannins, tightly wound fruit and a sheen of mostly new oak. One of the best Left Bank wines of the vintage. 96 points