Château Léoville Las Cases 2016

A red wine from Saint-Julien with an impressive tannic structure

A Second Classified Growth of 1855 produced in the appellation of Saint-Julien, the Château Léoville Las Cases benefits from a vineyard with a total area of 98 hectares. Around 40 years old on average, the vines are planted on a terroir composed mainly of Quaternary gravel soils on gravel-sandy and clayey-gravelly subsoils. The 2016 vintage blends 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc.

This vintage was produced under amazing climatic conditions. First, heavy rains from January to March replenished the water reserves of the soil. Then, the mild weather of March brought an early budburst. The month of April caused delays in vine development due to the cold and rain. The weather varied greatly from mid-June on, with the arrival of warm and extremely dry weather. The first fortnight of August saw a rapid and even veraison. The growth of the grapes, initially slowed by the lack of water, began again after the showers of mid-September. The beautiful ripeness of the fruit and the excellent climatic conditions allowed the harvest to proceed in a calm manner between September 30^th and October 19^th.

At tasting, the Château Léoville Las Cases 2016 is magnificently well-rounded. The Cabernet Sauvignon imparts power and elegance, the Cabernet Franc is refined and complex, and the Merlot is opulent and juicy. The wine presents active and smooth tannins, which balance harmoniously with a splendid length on the palate.