Château Léoville Las Cases 2006

The 2006 Léoville Las Cases is muscular and uncompromising, unwinding to reveal aromas of dark berries, cassis, burning embers, espresso roast, exotic spices, loamy soil and toasty oak. Full-bodied, rich and extracted, it's a deep, brooding wine with considerable depth and concentration, framed by an abundance of sweet, powdery tannin. It possesses considerable potential, but it continues to require patience. - William Kelley.

Aromas of blackberries, black olives, raspberries, iodine and asphalt follow through to a medium to full body with a tight, layered palate and a juicy finish. Hints of iodine at the end. Some licorice, too.

Yield: 40.8 hl/ha. Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol content: 13°29. Total acidity: 3.49 - PH: 3.72 - IPT: 75 This year the wine presents itself differently than usual and with a little less austerity. The reason lies in malolactic fermentations completed earlier. Consequently, the wine was lowered into barrels almost a month ahead of the normal process. This lack of austerity is explained by this slightly longer maturation of one month. Very beautiful black color, intense and lively. Fruity, fresh and perfectly ripe nose. The density prevails upon entry into the mouth. The wine develops rich, caressing and takes on a little more pace in the second part of the palate. It acquires an additional complexity, without austerity, without acid note, without washed fruitiness. Fine tannins followed by great length which sets it apart from its peers.