Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— a year ago
Deep purple. Green bell pepper and eucalyptus nose. Muddled blackberry, anise, and white pepper. All of that carries over beautifully to the palate. Dry, medium minus acid, medium plus alcohol, tannins are medium and supple. After some time, I am also getting rare meat on the nose. This is a top 10 of 2020 for me. MELKA is one of the best in my book.
95 points — 4 years ago
My ideal Chardonnay- different, unique
Manchester wine tour @ sterling bar Bruised melon, burnt lime. almond, popcorn, smoky bacon, damp pavement — 3 months ago
Man. I love this winemaker.
Nose is smoke and dark fruit. It’s like a warm hug from your best friend Who’s wearing a sweater.
So comforting.
As it opens you get dried roses. Library book. Amazing.
Palate is dark cherry but in a light way. Still fresh. Elegant.
Man. Such a great winemaker.
Bought from fass selections — 3 years ago
Pop and 1.5 hrs slow ox. My initial read on this was that it was slightly faded, but I think that might just be a stylistic choice. Lovely bright nose, with good lemon and apple, but surprisingly light in style and surprisingly soft for a Corton Charlemagne. On the palate: fresh, with good acidity. Again, surprisingly soft. Maybe more Pernand-Vergelesses 1er than CC in my book. Ok. — 4 years ago
Fruit still present with smoke and earthy on the palate. At 9+ years old, drink now as it at its peak. February 2024. — 10 months ago
Hot beginning great sweet finish — 2 years ago
Similar notes from April 2020 when I last had it. A red fruited nose giving a lovely earthy perfume with Sous Bois influences. Loam, compost heap nose. Same red fruits on the medium weight palate with strawberry and a touch of raspberry. As Jasper Morris said in his book, Lavaux St Jacques is one of the cooler sites in Gevrey Chambertin. This is always the last Rousseau wine to be picked and enjoying a longer hang time. After a couple of hours, just a gorgeous nose. — 3 years ago
Hayley Lalchand
totally perfect amount of dryness, rich, spicy, delectable (note to self ryan loves this one) — a month ago