1994 Leoville Las Cases Bordeaux Blend - France - Bordeaux - St Julien - Red - Second Growth

Dark purple in color and showing gravel, earth, dark berry fruit and mineral on the nose. Robust with dark cherries, more gravel and mineral and firm tannin on the finish. This wine opened up beautifully over a 3 hour period.

This is a great wine from a rough vintage. Its weight in the mouth was surprisingly thick as opposed to the way it looked in the glass. Great mineral and and subtle fruit nose, at first blush, fruit leather with well balanced tannins and soft acidity. Not the shining star of bordeaux but very good. Not quite as complex on the mid palate but definitely showing some nuance of vanilla and bordeaux fruit. Good finish with a pleasent dispersion.

Curiously, this was not nearly as rich or complex as the 1997 we had in August 2008 - and '97 was a "lesser" vintage. That probably means I opened this wine too soon. Decanted for approx. two hours. At first, it was tannic and somewhat hot. The bouquet was about average, and the midpalate somewhat tart and not giving up much of its fruit. After another hour in the decanter, it began to open up and the tannins and heat subsided, evolving into the flavor profile for which this Grand Vin is known. From that point forward I could detect more earthiness, cassis, mineral and a hint of white pepper (probably from the Cab Franc). Will wait at least three more years before opening another bottle.