Just mellowing ruby. Served immediately after a Pichon Lalande 1996 and seemed slightly lighter bodied and definitely had more acidity. But for a Las Cases from a slow-maturing vintage, this is surprisingly ready to drink. Lots of minerals and a dry St-Julien finish with fully dissipated tannins. 

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. The weedy 1988 Merlot reveals a light ruby color with some lightening at the edge. Aromas of herbal tea clash with sweet fruit in this medium-bodied, high acid wine. The elegant Cabernet Franc is outstanding. It offers a medium dark ruby color, followed by a super-intense, penetrating fragrance of minerals, blackcurrants, spice, and a subtle mint note, as well as finesse. This was an impressive showing for a varietal component. The tough, backward Cabernet Sauvignon is tannic and closed, revealing muscle and strength. Tasted alone, it is nothing more than a building block for the final wine. The disappointing Petit Verdot possesses a vegetal character, astringent, harsh tannin, hollowness, and a lack of fruit and charm.

Remarkably, the 1988 Leoville-Las Cases has always been one of the most successful wines of the vintage. In this tasting it clearly outshone all its component parts. With a rich, spicy, fruitcake, cedary, cassis-scented nose, this medium-bodied, moderately tannic Las Cases offers attractive sweetness and suppleness on the palate, a well-delineated and focused personality, and a moderately tannic finish. The wine is just beginning to reveal some aromatic development. It will benefit from another 2-5 years of cellaring and will keep for 20+ years.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Very fresh aromas of dried cherries, blackberries and wet earth. Full-bodied, with extremely well-integrated, silky tannins and a fresh blackberry and mint aftertaste. Slightly dry and funky on the finish. Try it a bit later. A Las Cases that's rather rustic.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio