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Château Léoville Las Cases is regarded as the leading “Super Second” of Saint-Julien – a Deuxième Cru Classé of 1855 that in quality and price is often counted among the First Growths. From the historic, walled Grand Clos, a Cabernet Sauvignon–dominated wine of enormous structure and legendary longevity is made, often compared with Château Latour. Secure the Grand Vin, Le Petit Lion or the standalone Clos du Marquis.
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Château Léoville Las Cases is a Deuxième Cru Classé of the 1855 Classification and lies in the appellation of Saint-Julien on the left bank of the Gironde. The estate is widely regarded as the leading “Super Second” and is often ranked, both in quality and price, alongside the First Growths. At its heart lies the 55-hectare, walled Grand Clos, whose vines supply the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Grand Vin. The estate is owned by the Delon family, and Pierre Graffeuille has been director since 2011. Alongside the Grand Vin, the estate also produces the second wine Le Petit Lion and the independent Clos du Marquis.
The Léoville plateau has long been regarded as one of the finest terroirs for long-lived, complex and powerful Bordeaux wines. The original Léoville estate dates back to the 1630s; following the French Revolution it was divided, first into two, then into three parts. Las Cases retained the heart of the old estate – the Clos. At the end of the 19th century, the estate passed via Théophile Skawinski (manager from 1900) to the Delon family, whose descendant Jean-Hubert Delon is today the sole owner. Notably, in 1998 the estate withdrew from the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855 – the only one to do so – in the conviction that it was in fact a First Growth. Pierre Graffeuille has been director since 2011. The family also owns Potensac (Médoc) and Nénin (Pomerol).
Las Cases is a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé of 1855, but is widely regarded as the finest of the “Super Seconds” and is repeatedly spoken of as the “sixth First Growth”. In terms of profile, the wine is frequently compared to its Pauillac neighbour Latour – for its structure, self-assurance and longevity.
The Grand Clos is a 55-hectare block enclosed by walls, whose gravel (peyrosol) reaches depths of up to ten metres in places and drains exceptionally well. Detailed studies have identified sixteen distinct terroir types. Almost the entire production of the Grand Vin comes from this heartland, while Clos du Marquis is sourced from other, sandier and more gravelly parcels a little further from the river.
The varietal mix across the total vineyard area comprises 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The Grand Vin is clearly Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, typically ranging between 75 and 85 percent of that variety depending on the vintage.
The Clos is farmed almost entirely organically, without herbicides or pesticides; Jean-Hubert Delon’s father was, in the 1980s, one of the pioneers of green harvesting on the left bank. Vinification takes place in stainless steel, wood and concrete tanks ranging from 40 to 216 hectolitres. The Grand Vin is aged for 18 to 20 months in 80 to 90 percent new oak, supplied by nine different coopers. A new cellar and vinification complex near the river complements the existing laboratory.
The Grand Vin Château Léoville Las Cases comes almost entirely from the Clos and accounts for around 45 percent of the harvest. The true second wine Le Petit Lion (since the 2007 vintage) is produced from younger vines of the same terroir. Clos du Marquis, by contrast, is an independent wine from other parcels (around 45 percent of the vineyard area), with Petite Marquise (since 2015) as its second wine – a common misconception that Las Cases is keen to clarify.
Las Cases is a powerhouse of tradition: deep black fruit, graphite, cedarwood, the finest tannins and enormous structure. Closed and taut in its youth, the wine develops a silky texture and great complexity with age. It is renowned for its ability to age – and then to age further still.
The 1986 is considered one of the greatest Saint-Juliens of recent decades; the 2016 stands alongside it. Other outstanding vintages include 1982, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2019.
The Grand Vin ranks among the longest-lived wines of Bordeaux and, in great vintages, ages for forty to fifty years. Le Petit Lion reaches its peak after eight to twelve years, Clos du Marquis after ten to fifteen years.
European Wine-Searcher and iDealwine listings (retail prices including VAT, indicative values):
As the leading “Super Second”, Las Cases ranks among the most expensive Second Growths and, in top vintages, approaches the price level of the First Growths.
An accessible entry point is offered by Clos du Marquis and the second wine Le Petit Lion. For collectors, the Grand Vin in great vintages is the strategic choice – a wine with the stature and ageing horizon of a First Growth.
Who owns Château Léoville Las Cases? The estate has belonged to the Delon family since the end of the 19th century; Jean-Hubert Delon is the sole owner. Pierre Graffeuille has been director since 2011.
What classification level does Léoville Las Cases hold? It is a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) of the 1855 Classification – but is widely regarded as the leading “Super Second”.
What is the Grand Vin’s blend? The varietal mix comprises 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot; the Grand Vin is typically around 80% Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the second wine called – and what is Clos du Marquis? The second wine is Le Petit Lion (since 2007). Clos du Marquis is not a second wine, but an independent wine from other parcels, with Petite Marquise as its own second wine.
How long can Léoville Las Cases be cellared? The Grand Vin ranks among the longest-lived Bordeaux wines and, in great vintages, ages for forty to fifty years.
What does a bottle of Léoville Las Cases cost? Current vintages of the Grand Vin sell on the European market for around 180 to 320 euros, with mature top vintages considerably higher. Clos du Marquis starts at around 45 euros.
Léoville Las Cases is the undisputed benchmark among the “Super Seconds” and is ranked in quality alongside the First Growths. With its historic Grand Clos, uncompromising selection and its confident withdrawal from the 1855 marketing organisation, the estate maintains a special status among the Second Growths.
