The 3 Léoville

TASTING REPORT

The Oenoschool workshop had the chance to host this Tuesday, September 22, a tasting around 3 mythical wines from the Saint Julien appellation: The 3 Léoville. Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Léoville Las Cases.... An exceptional evening with the tasting of 8 wines!

Léoville Poyferré 1988 

The color is evolved and slightly cloudy. The nose is very open: smoky, cooked fruits and some slight defects (old cellar) that diminish with aeration. On the palate there is a beautiful fruity attack. The finish is somewhat short on acidity, the wine improves with aeration and gains body and harmony.

Léoville Las Cases 1988 

A color not very evolved, less dense and clearer than Poyferré 1988. The nose is reserved but very delicate (cedar, graphite, peppers, spice). The palate is straight, long and quite strict, some tannins and beautiful freshness. This wine deserves decanting for at least 2 hours. Another 5 to 10 years of aging potential.

Note that this bottle proves to be more closed than others drunk in the last 5 years.

Léoville Barton 1988 

An evolved color similar to Poyferré 1988. The nose is very open: floral aromas, smoky and black fruits. ..
A very fleshy and fruity palate, "riper" than the two previous wines: lots of roundness and silkiness on melted tannins.
Verdict of the 15 tasters on this 1988 vintage in terms of immediate pleasure: 2 prefer Poyferré, 5 Las Cases and 8 Barton.

Léoville Las Cases 1983

The color is not very evolved, the nose discreet close to 1988, the palate is more sunny but remains straight with a fresh and strict finish.

Léoville Poyferré 1999

A color in the process of evolution. The nose is still young: black fruits, menthol, empyreumatic notes. The palate is fleshy and harmonious, we find the menthol and licorice on melted tannins.

Léoville Poyferré 1989

The color is evolved and dense, the nose milky with notes of cooked fruits and precious wood. The palate is full and extremely harmonious, the wine is concentrated and long on the palate. A perfectly mature wine.

Léoville Las Cases 1994 

A color not very evolved and of medium density and a nose with notes of licorice, graphite and precious wood, although still reserved. The palate is strict but the wine is elegant and relatively concentrated and without notes of under-ripeness. The tannins are still present. Another 5 to 10 years of aging potential.

Léoville Barton 2001

A nose of stewed black fruits, quite warm. The attack is very fruity, the tannins are still present but well balanced by the matter, the wine deserves aging or long aeration to soften the tannins…