Léoville-Las Cases St.-Julien 2009

99 points James Suckling: "Amazing aromas of cep mushrooms, dark fruits and fresh flowers, follow through to a full body and super velvety tannins with a long long finish. Gorgeous structure to this. Sexy and almost decadent. Just like when I tasted it in Hong Kong. Try in 2019. (2/14/12)"

99 points (19.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "With is base of Cabernet Sauvignon (76%) the 2009 displays an ample profile, correct, with impressive tannic structure and majestic fruit with great acidity. (Jan 2012)"

98+ points Robert Parker: "The 2009 Leoville Las Cases may be the most open-knit and forward Las Cases I have tasted to date. Analytically, it is high in tannin and the alcohol is 13.8%, nearly a record at this estate. This blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc was showing brilliantly at the 2009 tasting I did in Hong Kong and at a later tasting. It boasts an inky/purple color, monumental concentration and lots of sweet, jammy black currant, black cherry and kirsch fruit intermixed with crushed rock and mineral notes. As always, proprietor Jean-Hubert Delon has built a massive wine with exceptional precision, unbelievable purity and aging potential of 40-50 years. I was surprised by the lusciousness of this cuvee on several occasions, and how much more forward it is given the fact that Las Cases can often be forebodingly backward and in need of 10-15 years of cellaring (at age 30, the 1982 is still a baby in terms of development!). The super-concentrated 2009 needs another 5-7 years before additional nuances emerge. This is a brilliant, full-throttle St.-Julien. (Feb 2012)"

98 points Decanter: "This is still playing its cards close to its chest, yet the exuberance and generosity of 2009 is starting to ppep through. Brooding tannins that are just starting to stir, controlling a tight-knit cassis, cigar box, pencil lead and liquorice body. You feel the skill in the unpeeling of the tannins, opening to reveal the perky, fresh core, and you can see just why this is such a great estate. Drink: 2022-2040. Alcohol 13.5%. (2019)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Still a baby, the 2009 Château Leoville Las Cases is largely in the mold of the 1990 and 1982, offering a sexy opulence while staying in the classic, structured style of the estate. Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, its still ruby/purple hue is followed by a sensational array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, green tobacco, exotic spices, and incense. With incredible purity, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this magical Saint-Julien is just now starting to reveal some secondary nuances and won't hit full maturity for another decade. It should see its 75th birthday in fine form. Drink: 2020-2084. (11/23/20)"

98 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Attractive black berryish fruit, a hint of cassis and liquorice, mineral, old wood spice, a hint of orange zest, very multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, ripe cherries, good fruit expression, ripe tannins, full of finesse and fresh, mineral and persistent. Has great elegance, enormous length and certain ageing potential. Already very seductive and accessible with potential for many decades. (2/13/20)"

98 points Wine Spectator: "This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by very racy espresso and graph-ite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035. (1/11/12)"

98 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2012 (#35),' Wine Enthusiast: "A beautifully structured wine, with its tannins layered between the ripest black plums, damsons and black currants. It's opulent while remaining dense, concentrated and very serious. Certainly a wine for long-term aging. abv: 13.4%. (Apr 2012)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "Luscious vintage that allows even Las Cases to be generous and almost hedonistic at 14 years old, almost unheard of with this property (helped by slightly higher level of alcohol than usual filling out the mouthfeel). This remains more closed down than most 2009s that you will find, with tannins that are powerful and confident, guiding the cassis fruit while allowing gourmet notes of black chocolate, tarte tatin and pomegrante to surface, along with bitter edges of burnt saffron, liquroice and charcoal. 50% new oak, 3.6ph. Harvest September 22 to October 7. Alcohol 13.8%. Drink: 2023-2050. (12/7/22)"

97 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Two bottles tasted in different flights. The Chateau Leoville Las-Cases 2009 appears to have closed down a little in recent months. Here, it has a very controlled bouquet with delineated blackberry, wild hedgerow and briary and crushed stone. Later, more Pauillac-like scented emerge - mint and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It does not quite have the clarity suggested by the aromatics, although there is certainly very good fruit concentration on the dense, almost surly finish. (Jul 2013)"