WTN, Bob Ross
I can't write better notes than these recent from other tasters; Jeff Connell's in particular were right on the money for me. I had this Bordeaux two nights in a row without food and while sipping and enjoying the wine while Janet and I watched movies. Two fun evenings. And, two great wine experiences.
Jeff Connell: Château Léoville-Las-Cases 1985 St. Julien. This has never been my favourite house, but this wine could make you fall in love with Bordeaux. It was lively and youthful, with an array of fine secondary flavours, all in balance. Nothing ostentatious, just continually unfolding charm.
David Lole: Still a very deep ruby with virtually no bricking. Powerful, masculine, minerally (almost ferrous) bouquet housing a brooding, classy mix of graphite, deep-set curranty fruit, briar, black olives, herbs and plenty of newish savoury oak. "Lots going on here", was Tony's first remark as he nosed the Riedel. Jamie's "Ahhh .... Bordeaux!", was also a good start (the wine had been decantered sometime before and obviously masked). From the outset, we were all surprised and most impressed by this wines' enormity and youthfulness, particularly for the vintage. If anything, the palate has quite a way to go to reach maturity. Again, fantastic quality of savoury fruit and oak, more of the brooding mineral/briar/olive character, of full body, excellent delineation, robust, firm tannins and great length. Over the next hour or two we sniffed, swirled and sipped our way through this Outstanding bottle of St. Julien until there was no more. My best sip was the last. Drink 2011-2025.