Château Léoville-Las Cases

Château Léoville-Las Cases is a winery located in the village of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, in the heart of the Médoc, classified as a Second Grand Cru in the Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855.

Considered one of the oldest estates in the Médoc, with origins dating back to the mid-17th century, Château Léoville-Las Cases belonged to some of the wealthiest and most influential noble families in France until it was purchased by the Las Cases family.

The French Revolution brought changes to the estate. A small part of it was separated, giving rise to Château Léoville Barton. Years later, in 1840, Château Léoville-Las Cases experienced another division of its lands, leading to the creation of Château Léoville Poyferré. Today, Jean-Hubert Delon is the owner of the winery, which, along with Château Potensac in the Médoc and Château Nenin in Pomerol, forms the Domaines Delon group.

The vineyards of Château Léoville-Las Cases extend over a surface of 98 hectares in the A.O.C. Saint-Julien. The vines, with an average age of 40 years, grow on gravelly soils over sand and clay and benefit from the mild climate provided by the proximity of the Gironde, allowing the cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot grapes that make up the vineyard to ripen earlier than in other inland areas.

With these fruits, the château produces three red wines: its grand vin, named after the winery, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases, and Clos du Marquis. The latter, whose first vintage appeared in 1902, was considered for many years the second wine of the winery, making the estate one of the first in Bordeaux to have a second label. Over time, and due to its origin in a vineyard separate from the rest and exclusive to its production, Clos du Marquis became its own brand but with the hallmark of Château Léoville-Las Cases.