Léoville-Las Cases St-Julien 2001

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "A classic in development, a wine that will last for decades. It is certainly powerful, but already the shape is finalized, with its plums and berries settling down with perfumes, acidity, just enough tannins and a warm, welcoming richness. A great argument for the superiority of 2001 over 2000. (Dec 2007)"

96 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "One vintage that was missing from my extensive vertical earlier this year was the 2001 Léoville Las Cases, and when curiosity got the better of me, I opened a bottle from my own cellar. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered core of vibrant fruit, ripe structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Youthful and a little aloof, it's a classic Las Cases that is just at the very beginning of a long drinking window. It would be fascinating to compare the 2001 directly with the much-lauded 2000, as the two are very close in quality to my palate. (12/21/23)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "he 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it, a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly, I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam, spice, graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous, the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases, in fact. But who’s complaining? Certainly not me. (Aug 2021)"

96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2001 has the firmness of a great Pauillac... (2007)"

95 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Pencil lead, leather, smoked cedar and reserved but carefully sculpted cassis and bilberry fruit - this is Léoville-Las Cases showing its classicism in a vintage that is the home of balanced, nuanced and elegant wines. It continues to open and gather depth over 15 minutes in the glass, suggesting there is plenty of potential ahead, but the tannins have now softened and integrated into the overall structure. Grip and freshness runs right through the palate, and a Cabernet-dominated savouriness makes you salivate through the finish. Plenty of power at 21 years old. Beautiful dark fruits, a successful reflection of a vintage that still has plenty to offer. Drink: 2021-2044. (2/26/21)"

95 points James Suckling: "A very typical Las Cases with a Pauillac note, even though it’s St.-Julien. Lead pencil, dried herb, currant and black olive. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and creamy with a long finish. It’s very persistent. Pretty austerity. Be sure to decant this a couple of hours in advance. Drink or hold. (1/12/21)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from an underrated vintage in Bordeaux, the 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7 and an IPT of 70. This was a milder, cooler year, and the 2001 offers a more complex, mature bouquet of cedary herbs, menthol, tobacco, lead pencils, and dried flowers, with a wonderful core of sweet red and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a wonderful mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's drinking at point today yet certainly has another 10-15 years of prime drinking. Drink: 2021-2036. (3/5/21)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "A long, refined beam of gently mulled black currant and plum fruit is inlaid liberally with a smoldering charcoal note, while tobacco, ganache and warm paving stone accents form the background. A touch reticent through the finish, with the charcoal edge winning out. Shows lovely cut and length.--Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2020 through 2035. (7/31/18)"

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is a vintage I’ve encountered many times. Now at two decades old, it has a generous nose with those black plums still in situ, along with graphite and cedar; this bottle is a little more backward, probably due to the provenance. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, white pepper and sage and fine grip. Though it’s not as precise or chiseled as recent vintages, there is admirable complexity on the lightly peppered, tobacco- and rooibos-tinged finish. Excellent. Drink: 2021-2050. (Sep 2021)"

94 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "The nose of cedar and licorice possesses all the expected flair, and the stunning palate displays plenitude and brightness. Drink: 2011 up to 2025. (2011)"

93 points Robert Parker: "Jean-Hubert Delon thinks the 2001 Leoville Las Cases could turn out to be as good as his 2000. I’m not sure I agree, but it may come close. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2001 (which represents only 40% of the production) reveals notes of sweet vanillin intermixed with pure cassis, black cherries, and lead pencil shavings. Elegant and medium-bodied, it possesses a saturated purple color, high tannin, and a structured, backward feel in the mouth. This quintessentially elegant Las Cases needs another 5-7 years to hit its plateau of maturity. It will be one of the Medoc’s longest lived wines of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2030. (Jun 2004)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Ruby-red. Aromas of kirsch, currant, graphite, minerals, camphor and smoky oak. Subtly sweet and penetrating, with lovely energy and clarity of flavor. Classic claret, finishing lively and very long, with the tannins reaching the front teeth. (May/Jun 2004)"

93 points Wine & Spirits (Dec 2004).

19/20 points La Revue du Vin de France: "This long distance runner which structurally calls to mind a fine Pauilliac, competes with Latour for title of best wine of the vintage on the Left Bank. It deserves a long period of aeration to fully reveal itself. Dense, refined body. Abundant tannins integrate perfectly leaving a final impression of freshness. To keep imperatively. (Jan 2011)"