Chateau Leoville Las Cases (Futures Pre-sale) 2011

"This has very solid guts, with dark, almost brooding plum compote, currant paste and anise notes, followed by a hint of roasted juniper wood on the finish, which smolders nicely. An iron hint lurks throughout as well.
Barrel Sample: 93-96 Points"

96 Points

Wine Spectator

"One of the thrilling successes of the vintage is, not surprisingly, the 2011 Leoville Las Cases. Analytically, this ripe wine has statistical numbers that are almost identical to their 2010. The fruit was cropped at 27 hectoliters per hectare, the wine aged in 80% new French oak, and the final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc came in at 13.4% natural alcohol. It boasts an opaque inky/purple color along with gloriously pure aromas of creme de cassis, black raspberries, vanillin and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with abundant glycerin and ripe but noticeable tannin, this beauty is potentially one of the longest lived and finest wines of the vintage. It should be drinkable in 5-6 years and last for 2-3 decades.
Barrel Sample: 93-95+ Points"

95 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Good deep red. Outstanding verve to the aromas of raspberry, white pepper, violet, rose petal and sweet spices; today the cabernet franc component is very apparent. At once velvety and racy on the palate, with great energy and class to the red fruit, floral and mineral flavors. An electric wine that jolts the palate, and yet the exceptionally silky finish features creamy-sweet mouth-saturating tannins. If the 2007 was more Saint-Julien in style and the 2008 more like Pauillac, the subtly complex 2011 is very much Léoville. I'm not sure Jean-Hubert Delon could make a bad Léoville-Las-Cases even if he tried to. This should turn out to be one of the top five wines of the vintage.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 Points"

94 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Intense aromas of currants and blackberries with minerals. Full body, with an serious density for the vintage, and racy tannin and acidity. It goes on very long. Reminds me a little of 1996. Very classic style.
Barrel Sample: 93-94 Points "

94 Points

James Suckling