2005 Ch. Léoville-Las Cases, St Julien

If the 1855 Classification was rewritten tomorrow there is no doubt that this aristocratic estate would be reclassified as a First Growth. Their incredible 2005 simply adds to this cause. This has all the power and well-tailored elegance of a classic St Julien but with a sleek, concentrated, amazingly fresh character. Coffee and dark chocolate permeate the dense blackcurrant fruit, and while this is maybe less muscular than we expected, the very firm tannins are merely hiding within the massive, harmonious and elegant structure, this will be magnificent.

...the 2005 Leoville Las Cases is probably the greatest wine made at this estate since Jean-Hubert Delon's father produced the 1986 and 1996.... An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by reticent aromatics that, with considerable coaxing, offer up subtle notes of toasty vanillin intermixed with lead pencil shavings, wet rocks, and enormously ripe, intense black cherry and creme de cassis. The wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel as well as enormous extract, concentration, and purity. This ageless, monumental claret requires a minimum of 15-20 years to approach maturity, and should last for a half century. It is about as classic a Leoville Las Cases as one will find.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 30-Apr-2008