This is second growth just beside Ch.Latour (Paulliac). It is also one of the three great Leoville;
Poyferre, Barton and Las Cases. It is most likely the best St.Julien you can get and probably also the best 2nd growth matching the first growths in quality, style and "vin de garde". With normal prices for Las Cases half of the first growths you get first growths wine for half price thanks to the old fashioned 1855 classification.
The property is now close to 100 ha with about 30 000 cases being made. The bouquet is normally very elegant with a silky but very firm texture when mature. The grapes used are normally Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 19%, Carbernet Franc 13% and Petit verdot 3%.
The 1985, 1988 and 1992 are all drinking well now. Normally this wine would need at least 12 years before being worthwhile opening!
The second wine called Clos du Marquis is also probably one of the best second wines yo can get.
Some of the latest vintage descriptions (score is always above 18 to 19);
1985 Very dense and powerful wine with fantastic beautiful bouquet. Drink from 2008
1988 Medium silky body, wet wool, drinking well now
1989 Another dark dense wine that needs time
1992 A bad year but a great wine, cheap as well drink up!
1997 Apparantly very good but I have still not tried this one
2000 Subtle aromas and silky tannins to be drunk from 2012 (400€)
2001 Cedar, red berries, great style and finesse very good for 2001 (140€)
2002 Dense wine one of the best from the bad 2002
2003 Should be great but needs lots of time before drinking (200€)
2004 Delicious and complex wine due to strict selection (120€)
2005 A ab fab wine in ab fab year but so pricy!!!(300€)
2006 Should be great due to harvest before September rain set in
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