Château Léoville Las Cases 1988

Tasting notes and recommendations for Château Léoville Las Cases 1988

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a garnet hue with brick highlights, reflecting its graceful evolution after nearly four decades in bottle.

Nose

The bouquet reveals lovely aromatic complexity, dominated by notes of blackcurrant and candied black fruits. Nuances of cedar and sandalwood mingle harmoniously with touches of Cuban tobacco and graphite, offering a refined, sophisticated aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, the wine charms with its velvety texture and medium-bodied structure. The tannins, now fully integrated and silky, support a persistent core of fruit. Lively acidity brings freshness and definition, while the finish lingers elegantly with mineral notes and exotic spices.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Léoville Las Cases 1988 is an ideal match for roast leg of lamb, venison stew with mushrooms, or braised beef. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses such as Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Serving and cellaring

Château Léoville Las Cases 1988 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2040. It is recommended to decant it one hour before serving to separate the wine from its natural sediment. Serve at a temperature of 16–18°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

A rich Saint-Julien with rare length

The estate

Nestled in the Saint-Julien appellation in Bordeaux, Château Léoville Las Cases was established between 1826 and 1840, following the division of the former Domaine de Léoville. Family-owned since the 19th century, it now belongs to the Domaines Delon. The vineyard spans 98 ha, including a historic Grand Clos of around 50 ha enclosed by walls, adjoining Château Latour. Garonne gravels, hand harvesting, precise vinifications and barrel aging define a Second Growth with remarkable longevity.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château Léoville Las Cases benefits from an exceptional terroir within the Saint-Julien appellation. The estate notably includes a historic Grand Clos of around 50 hectares, entirely enclosed by ancient walls. The soils are composed of Garonne gravels over clay-gravel subsoils, providing optimal drainage and ideal thermal regulation for grape ripening. The proximity of the Gironde estuary creates a favorable microclimate that protects the vines from spring frosts and encourages gradual berry maturation.

The vintage

The 1988 vintage in Bordeaux unfolded under generally favorable weather conditions. Flowering took place in excellent conditions, ensuring even fruit set. The warm, dry summer enabled steady ripening. Harvesting ran from October 3 to 16 in sunny weather, allowing fruit to be picked at optimal ripeness. Although initially overshadowed by the famous 1989 and 1990 vintages, 1988 produced classic wines with a firm structure and outstanding aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The Château Léoville Las Cases 1988 harvest was carried out by hand. Vinification was conducted plot by plot in temperature-controlled oak, concrete, or stainless-steel vats. Malolactic fermentation took place in vat. Aging lasted 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new oak, allowing the wine to develop complexity while preserving the expression of the fruit and terroir.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (65%)
Merlot (21%)
Cabernet Franc (11%)
Petit Verdot (3%)