Léoville Las Cases 2007

Among the more tannic and backward wines of the vintage, the 2007 is another outstanding effort from this estate. Already somewhat closed, it is a candidate for one of the longest lived wines of the vintage. Beautifully pure black currant and black cherry fruit interwoven with notions of cedar and wood are found in this medium to full-bodied, structured, masculine-styled St.-Julien. The attack reveals sweetness and softness, but then the wine shuts down. It will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should keep for 15 or more. Drink 2012-2027.

A strong effort for the vintage, the 2007 Léoville Las Cases offers up aromas of dark fruits, burning embers, cedar box and toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a fleshy mid-palate, powdery tannins and good length on the finish, it displays a sweetness of fruit and completeness that are rare in 2007. 2017 - 2035

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. Jean-Hubert Delon's wine bides its time and is very reticent and primal on the nose: blackberry, raspberry coulis, a touch of leather and cedar. It opens beautifully after five minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with a peppery entry, nicely balanced with blackberry, white pepper, leather and cedar with good persistency towards the sous-bois-tinged finish. Patently great breeding here and once its identity is revealed, I am sure it will repay a decade in the cellar and open up after 5-6 years. Tasted January 2011.

This is layered, with sweet tobacco, currants, berries and dried flowers. Full and silky, with a long finish. Beautiful already

An underestimated vintage that has aged a little quicker than the 2005 (or 2006, 2008 and 2009), and therefore makes it a good choice for any impatient Las Cases lovers. This focus on a floral character aromatically, along with truffles, brambled fruits, orange zest, earth, this is a gorgeous wine that floats above the palate, and takes you far above what most 2007s can deliver. It's a vintage that I really enjoy right now, and can recommend several wines from, but this stands out for its quiet concentration and interest - there doesn't seem to be any other word for it, it's a wine you want to read, spend time with, be quietly impressed by. Jean-Hubert Delon owner, 50% new oak.

Bright crimson. Very firm, even a bit oaky! Succulent and pure. Very racy and refreshing. Pure St-Julien. Bone dry finish. Drink 2014 - 2022.

The nose has an appealing fragrance of violets and lilac. Complex and concentrated at the start of the palate, the mid palate is lighter with fresher bilberry in evidence. The power towards the finish is well balanced by some fresher red fruits

Huge colour, really impressive purple-black, intense, yet very fragrant and very pure fruit on the nose, great length and precision on the palate, great depth and finely grained tannins, a wine for the long term. Drink 2017-30.