Château Léoville Las Cases 1995

Tasting characteristics and advice for Château Léoville Las Cases 1995

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep ruby hue with purple highlights, of remarkable intensity for a wine nearing thirty years of age. Garnet and slightly amber tones appear at the rim, reflecting graceful evolution.

Nose

The nose opens with intense aromas of blackcurrant and black fruits, accompanied by notes of licorice, tobacco and cedar. With aeration, the bouquet shows growing complexity: graphite, white truffle, forest floor and floral hints of violet. Vanilla and toasty nuances round out this sophisticated aromatic palette.

Palate

The attack is rich and concentrated, unveiling a medium-bodied to full-bodied texture. The palate expresses flavors of ripe blackcurrant and cherry, lifted by notes of sautéed herbs, earth and minerality. The tannins, once firm, have refined over time to offer a silky, velvety texture that caresses the palate. Well-calibrated acidity brings freshness and balance, while the mineral, persistent finish lingers remarkably, leaving an impression of refinement and elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Léoville Las Cases 1995 is an ideal match for fine red meats: rosy beef fillet, entrecôte à la bordelaise or crusted rib of beef. It also pairs beautifully with herb-roasted lamb, feathered game and dishes featuring truffles or wild mushrooms. Aged cheeses such as Comté or Saint-Nectaire also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Château Léoville Las Cases 1995 benefits from decanting one to two hours before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. Serve at a temperature of 16 to 18°C. This vintage can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favorably until around 2040.

A powerful and refined Saint-Julien great wine

The estate

Château Léoville Las Cases, a Second Growth (1855 classification) from the Saint-Julien appellation, has been a family estate since the 19th century and is now owned by Domaines Delon. Its vineyard covers 98 hectares (average vine age: 40 years), including an enclosed parcel of around 55 hectares and the Grand Clos of 50 hectares surrounded by walls, at the gates of Pauillac. Garonne gravel terroir, hand harvesting, precise winemaking and aging in barrels. Current owner: Domaines Delon.

The vineyard

The Château Léoville Las Cases vineyard enjoys an exceptional location within the Saint-Julien appellation, directly on the edge of the Gironde estuary. The vines are rooted in Quaternary Garonne gravels over subsoils of sand and gravelly clay, providing optimal drainage. This proximity to the estuary creates a moderating microclimate, promoting steady, early ripening of the grapes.

The vintage

The 1995 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by a favorable start to the season, with a mild winter followed by a spring that allowed for even flowering before June. Summer was exceptionally hot and dry from June to August, setting records for temperature and sunshine over forty years. Significant rainfall between September 7 and 19 required rigorous selection during harvest, which began on September 20 under sunny conditions. This year produced generous volumes comparable to those of 1986.

Winemaking and aging

For Château Léoville Las Cases 1995, only 35% of the crop was selected for the grand vin, reflecting an especially demanding selection. Hand harvesting was followed by precise parcel-by-parcel vinification. Aging took place in French oak barrels for around 18 months, allowing the wine to develop complexity while preserving the expression of the terroir.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (67%)
Merlot (26%)
Cabernet Franc (7%)