2005 Chateau Leoville Las Cases Pre-Arrival Offer

Chateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the larger classified estates in Bordeaux, with the Second Growth Saint-Julien property totalling 98 hectares. Winemaking is very traditional, using old oak vats for fermentation, and up to 90% new French oak for maturation. While the wines can look rather austere in their youth, from great years they can resemble some of the finest First Growth wines as they reach maturity. The Chateau also produces a second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (from 2009), which is not to be confused with Clos du Marquis, a wine that is always produced from a separate parcel and is considered a standalone brand.

"...the 2005 Château Leoville Las Cases is nevertheless jaw dropping good, and certainly a perfect wine in this reviewer’s opinion." - Jeb Dunnuck

Other Reviews....
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. Drink 2025-2065.
98 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)

The 2005 Léoville Las-Cases retains a deep colour at 20 years of age, with little aging on the rim. The bouquet leaves you instantly besotted with blackberry, wild hedgerow, black truffle, incense and light lavender scents in the background. The nose is very complex and one of the most vivacious that I encountered revisiting this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins that frame mineral-rich black fruit, as well as touches of smoke and meat juices in the background. This is very harmonious but has genuine weight and depth on the finish, elevating this to one of the best Left Bank 2005s. Superb. Tasted at the château. Drink 2025-2050.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (June 2025)

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, please leave this alone for ten years. Pull the cork in 2020.
99 points
James Suckling (June 2011)

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. Drink 2028-2058.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2024)

To some, this is the best wine estate in St-Julien. Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the three Léovilles and is the largest at 97 hectares. Though the wine is a 2ème Cru Classé, or second growth, many see this old estate rivalling the first growths and have prices to match. I've been lucky enough to taste this a few times this year, and the last one (at a Christie's dinner in early November) confirmed once again what an incredible wine this is. With a full 87% cabernet sauvignon, and the rest made up of merlot and cabernet franc, the colour here is rich ecclesiastical purple, and the fruit still tight and brooding, although it starts to soften up with a good carafing even now. It's the texture of Léoville Las Cases that often hits you, and the confidence of a wine that knows it has years ahead of it. Dark fruits, bitter chocolate, black truffles, all perfectly in place. One to savour.
97 points
Jane Anson - Decanter

This is a super wine, that in time, should go up in score. But patience is needed here. Decanted 4 hours, that was not enough to tame the strict tannins. Still, it was impossible not to enjoy the perfectly ripe, regal, red and black fruits, intensity, length and concentration found here. This is was the older British writers called good breed. I get their point, even if the term is archaic. All that being said, perhaps, this will be ready between 2025-2030 for the start of its long, 100 year life.
98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (Jan 2018)

Conditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in February 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.