Château Léoville Las Cases 1993

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Léoville Las Cases 1993

Tasting

Appearance
This vintage is striking for its remarkably youthful appearance. It shows a deep colour with a ruby core and subtle brick-tinged hues at the rim.

Nose
The bouquet is supremely classic. It opens with aromas of ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant, mingled with notes of graphite, blond tobacco and spice. With aeration, hints of dark chocolate, cherry, mint and delicate floral nuances add further complexity, underscored by a very slight, refreshing herbaceous touch.

Palate
The attack reveals an elegant, harmonious texture. The palate has a serious structure, with tannins that remain assertive yet well integrated. Although it is less powerful than in exceptional years, this wine offers fine balance and a finish of very respectable length.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops. It is also an excellent match for classic red meats such as roast beef or rib of beef, as well as furred game dishes.

Serving and cellaring

To fully enjoy Château Léoville Las Cases 1993, serve it at a temperature of 16 to 18°C in large Bordeaux glasses. Moderate aeration of 20 to 30 minutes, and no more than 90 minutes, is recommended before serving. This wine is currently in an excellent drinking window and can be enjoyed now.

The classic elegance of a great Saint-Julien wine

The estate

Although the winegrowing history of its land dates back to 1638, Château Léoville Las Cases was officially established in 1840, following the division of the former Domaine de Léoville. Located in the Bordeaux region, this 2ème Grand Cru Classé covers nearly 98 hectares. Often described as a “super second” for its ability to rival the First Growths, the estate stands out for its rare family continuity. Today it is run by Jean-Hubert Delon, who upholds the excellence and independence of this iconic property.

The vineyard

The heart of the estate, dedicated to the grand vin, is the Grand Clos, a walled vineyard of 55 to 60 hectares within the Saint-Julien appellation. Adjoining Château Latour, this exceptional terroir overlooks the Gironde estuary. It consists of Quaternary gravel over sandy-gravel and clay subsoils. The estuary acts as a thermal regulator, protecting the vines from frost and encouraging early ripening. With an average age of 52 years, the vines are planted at a high density of 8,600 vines per hectare, which naturally limits yields.

The vintage

1993 was a challenging vintage, with weather conditions less conducive to extreme concentration. Nevertheless, thanks to the protective microclimate of the estuary and the excellent drainage of the soils, the grapes reached satisfactory phenolic ripeness, preserving the freshness and classic style of the estate.

Vinification and ageing

After hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting, the berries are transferred to the vats by gravity. Château Léoville Las Cases 1993 was fermented in wooden vats, followed by malolactic fermentation in vat. The blends are made before the wine is put into barrel, so that they are not influenced by the oak. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in French oak barrels, up to 90% of which are new.

Grape varieties

The Grand Clos is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (21%) and Cabernet Franc (16%), complemented by a very small proportion of Petit Verdot.