1982 Ch. Léoville-Las Cases, St Julien

If the 1855 Classification was rewritten tomorrow there is little doubt that this aristocratic estate would be reclassified as a First Growth. Their 1982 is probably the finest wine Las Cases has ever produced and coming from what many consider to be the finest vintage of the 20th century, it’s little wonder that the combination of magnificent vintage and phenomenal estate produced such an epic wine. Rich, full-bodied, concentrated and bursting with ripe fruit, this is the epitome of elegance, purity and balance. No cellar is complete without this exalted Claret.

I have had perfect bottles of this cuvee, but, perplexingly, the bottles from my cellar tend to be broodingly backward and require plenty of coaxing. This huge wine is, in many ways, just as massive as Leoville Barton, but it possesses a greater degree of elegance as well as unreal concentration. Classic lead pencil, cassis, kirsch, cedar, and spice characteristics are abundant in both the nose and full-bodied flavors. The tannins are still there, and, at least from my cellar, this 1982 does not appear to have changed much in the last 10-12 years. One wonders how much patience admirers of this brilliant St.-Julien will continue to exhibit. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Jun-2009)

A friend of mine in London invited me to a dinner party for 12 people, and the featured wine for a multicourse meal was a double magnum of 1982 Château Léoville Las Cases....Nearing three decades in age, the second-growth from St.-Julien had such amazing finesse and length along with its richness and power. It was full of subtle currant, berry and floral notes that later turned to mint and eucalyptus. Some of the dinner guests even found a lead pencil character. I scored it 95 points, non-blind.
(James Suckling - Wine Spectator - May-2009)