Chateau Leoville-Las Cases Saint Julien Grand Cru 2013
(Bordeaux, France) - [WE 95] [JS 94] [WA 92] [WS 92] [DC 92] [VM 91-94]

About the Winery:
One of the oldest Medoc estates, Domaine de Léoville belonged to some of the wealthiest and most influential noble French families before it was acquired by the Las Cases family. The estate was split up between 1826 and 1840 as a result of the French Revolution. (Expropriation of emigrants' property and constitution of egalitarian redistribution). Château Léoville Las Cases was created, thanks to a kind of birthright, from 3/5 of the original estate and the heart of the domain. The Grand Vin's current terroir has therefore been at the historic heart of the original terroir since the 17th century.

Pierre Jean, Adolphe and Gabriel de Las Cases were successive heirs to the property until 1900, when Théophile Skawinski purchased a share in the estate and became its manager. Léoville Las Cases has now been managed by the same family since the late 19th century and is today represented by Jean-Hubert Delon, sole owner of the Château and proprietor of Château Potensac in the Medoc and Château Nénin in Pomerol.

About the Vintage:
After a very late budburst, the cold May weather hindered the vine's growth and enormously delayed the blossoming. The latter began in a fairly dry and mild atmosphere and finished in cold, rainy weather that caused considerable flower shatter on the plots of Merlot.

Following these wet conditions early in the cycle, the weather became dry and sunny again in July and August. The colour change and the beginning of the ripening process thus luckily took place in quite favourable weather conditions. In this delicate vintage, anticipation was the keyword in the vineyard. A vegetal cover was maintained with targeted grassing between the rows of certain plots and the ploughing was limited. These technical decisions all contributed to minimise the impact of the rainfall whilst early de-leafing (immediately after the end of flowering) and lateral shoot removal maintained a constant airing and rapid drying of the bunches from berry set right through to harvest. The grapes thus remained healthy, despite the return of rainfall from mid-September, and we were able to attain good maturity in the tannins for each of the various terroirs of the property.

Technical Data

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"This impressively powerful wine has dense tannins and concentration. With 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is firm, packed with black-currant fruits with intense, perfumed acidity. Cabernet Franc adds spice to the wine. The wood aging is still showing and the wine will need several years before enjoying. Drink from 2025." - Roger Voss (3/1/2016)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Extremely fine and complex for the vintage with blueberry, black currant and mineral aromas and flavors. Racy and refined backbone of tannins. Long and subtle. Drink in 2019." (2/10/2016)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2013 Leoville-Las Cases has perhaps one of the most understated bouquets for this estate in recent years. I do not mean that in a bad sense, after all, this was a vintage whereby it would be foolish to push too much. It gently unfolds with blackberry, bilberry and a light marine influence - iodine, a hint of black olive. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, nicely balanced with a saline note that comes through towards the finish. I appreciate the cohesiveness and refinement of this Leoville-Las Cases, certainly one of the best Medocs of this difficult vintage."  - Neal Martin (10/28/2016)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This has a rounded feel at first, with plum, blackberry and raspberry coulis flavors carried by supple tannins. Slowly and surely, a brooding charcoal note emerges through the finish, adding grip while a lingering iron detail lengthens the spine. This really stretches out in the glass, maintaining superior focus. Best from 2018 through 2028. 10,000 cases made." - JM (3/31/2106)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Needs more air and time in the glass than the Clos de Marquis 2013 that was tasted alongside, reflecting the greater density of fruit that you find in the main estate even in a challenging year like 2013. As it opens, the aromatics major on raspberry and redcurrant as opposed to black fruit dominated vintages such as 2016 (or indeed the 2002 also tasted here). Be patient, because there is a ton of St Julien balance and sensibility on display, with subtle complexity and layers of earth, liquorice, cedar and incense. Subtle and fragrant, an atypical Las Cases but one that offers great pleasure for drinking, with precision and salivating freshness on the finish." - Jane Anson (8/2020)

91-94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2013 Léoville Las Cases is wonderfully deep and layered in the glass. Violets, cloves, menthol and licorice add dimensions of complexity to the dark fruit. Hints of cassis, white flowers and sweet herbs develop later as the wine continues to flesh out. So many 2013s offer up their charms quite easily. Léoville Las Cases is a rare wine endowed with a sense of mystery and intrigue. The power and breadth of this site come through, but tempered by the medium-bodied structure of the year. This is a terrific showing. The 2013 is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot. Tasted twice." - Antonio Galloni (4/2014)