Château Léoville Las Cases 2006

Offers a pure nose of crushed raspberry and violet, with aniseed. Full-bodied, with beautiful, well-integrated tannins and a long, polished texture to the finish. Very beautiful. Harmonious and structured. Best after 2015.

Since 1959 the estate has kept 50% of production back for a second release when the wine is ready to drink, and this vintage has not yet seen its mature release (they are currently on the 2004). You can see why – it's an exceptional wine that still needs time in the cellar. The biggest difference that you see between grand vin and second wine is the size, shape and layers of the tannins. Here they are closed, barely getting going and yet unquestionably full of purpose, doing their job of defining and controlling the dark fruits. Coiled energy supports gorgeous crushed cassis and slate. This still has decades ahead of it.

Aromas of blackberries, black olives, raspberries, iodine and asphalt follow through to a medium- to full-bodied wine with a tight, layered palate and a juicy finish. Hints of iodine at the end. Some licorice, too. Drink now.

Powerful, mouth-filling, tannic and concentrated, most of this wine is being held back in reserve, waiting for the day when the tannins resolve, the secondary notes can leap to the forefront, and the wine softens its muscular style. There is no denying its quality, but it’s equally hard to deny its drinkability at 10 years of age. There is a good sense of purity of fruit that really stays with you behind the massive wall of creamy tannins. But it’s going to take at least a decade, and probably longer, to breach that wall.