Château Leoville Las-Cases 2emé Cru Classé, Saint-Julien, 2010, 75cl

The most powerful wine in this vertical is the 2010 Léoville Las Cases, a full-bodied, deep and multidimensional behemoth redolent of rich berries, cassis, burning embers, pencil shavings and loamy soil. Broad-shouldered, layered and muscular, with huge reserves of concentration and sweet, powdery tannin, it concludes with a broad, resonant finish. This is a prodigious, somewhat imposing Las Cases that is still an infant a decade after bottling.- William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Deep, dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. On the nose, blackberry with a hint of eucalyptus, subtle notes of cassis, almost reminiscent of the best New World red wines with a hint of mint indicating a proximity to Pauillac. Complex and juicy with a finesse-rich structure, ripe and sour cherries, silky tannins and a subtle touch of chocolate. A wine with raciness and a persistent, mineral finish.

The aromas to this wine have a beautiful purity of raspberries, blueberries, currants, and flowers that follow to a a full body, with super integrated tannins that are like the finest silk in texture. It shows elegant and pretty fruit character and a reserve and finesse of such great years as 1989 and 1995. The bright strong acidity gives a crunchy and creamy texture. This has a tiny bit more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than 2009. Give it at least six to eight years of bottle age.

A hugely powerful wine, full of dark, brooding tannins. It's a wine for seriously long-term aging, a sculptural vision of classic Bordeaux structure with with classy, ripe blackberry fruits. It has fresh acidity and an immense full-bodied character, cut through with mineral acidity. A great wine, with great potential.