Leoville Las Cases 2008

One of the largest and oldest classified growths in the Médoc, Château Léoville Las Cases is the leading estate in Saint-Julien. Comprising Cabernet Sauvignon (c.61%), Merlot (c.21%) and Cabernet Franc (c.16%) the vineyard thrives on a terroir of gravelly sand and clay soils and features vines that average over 40 years of old, with some of the Cabernet Franc vines being over 90 years of age. Léoville Las Cases’ winemaking procedure remains as traditional as possible with grapes fermented in temperature-controlled wood, concrete or stainless steel vats. Some of the oak vats are over 50 years of age. Since 1987 Léoville Las Cases have use a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis machine to help extract excess water from the grape must. Originally considered controversial, this technology is used by many of the top chateaux in Bordeaux making today. The end result is a firm, structured a powerful style of Bordeaux wine. A highly tannic wine, it usually needs between 15-20 years of bottle ageing to fully develop.