Léoville-Las Cases St-Julien 1996

100 points Jane Anson: "(70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot). I think we can officially declare 25 years as being the sweet spot for Léoville Las Cases - at least in slow-ageing vintages such as 1996, which is so perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Still full-bodied and concentrated even now, but generous also, with cassis, tobacco and cigarbox smoke softening the edges of flint-chiselled tannic frame. As I said during the Berry Bros supper where we opened this wine, Las Cases can be almost Burgundian-like in how elusive it is (in this case because of how stubborn and tannic it can prove), but when you get the one bottle that sings, it's all worth it. This more than proves the point. Michel Delon owner at the time. Drink: 2021-2040. (11/19/21)"

98 points Robert Parker: "A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux. This wine's hallmark remains a sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry, and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple color is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille, and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining, and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St.-Julien. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035. (Apr 1999)"

98 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "One of the best Leovilles in history, majestic in form and character, with rigorous tannins and a distinction that approaches Lafite. Drink: 2011 up to 2026. (2011)"

96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated bright, dark ruby. Perfumed, vibrant, very youthful aromas of cassis, violet and bitter chocolate. Dense and powerful, with great clarity of flavor thanks to a terrific spine of acidity. Almost painfully structured wine but not at all hard. Finishes very long and gripping, with a note of bitter chocolate. Drink 2012 through 2040. (Jul/Aug 2002)"

95 points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "Still a baby in terms of development (and in need of a longer decant), this is a stunning Bordeaux! Pure cassis, lead pencil, charred earth and smoke notes have real intensity and depth. They carry over to the medium bodied palate and while the wine is still dense and structured, it displays seamless integration and balance. If you have any of these, hide them in the cellar for another 10+ years. (Feb 2010)"

19/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Full colour. Very profound and very aristocratic on the nose. Backward but immaculate. A much bigger, more tannic wine than Ducru-Beaucaillou. Much less developed. This is truly excellent. very fine ripe, rich fruit. Very fine grip. Lots of lovely fruit. This is still a bit awkward. It is the Ducru-Beaucaillou which sings today. But this will be the greater wine eventually. 2006-2026. (2004)"

19/20 points La Revue du Vin de France: "I've always considered this wine as one of the major successes of the vintage. It's incredibly youthful and possesses an abnormal depth and power. (Jan 2012)"