Appy Hour but turn back the clock to Y2K!

Just a week ago Jeb Dunnuck did the same with his hot new spotlight; “Bordeaux 2000 at 25: A Vintage That Delivered where he summarized that “It’s safe to say that 2000 has lived up to the hype… the top wines today have entered the early stages of their prime drinking windows and are absolutely classic Bordeaux in all their glory. This is an undeniably great, classically styled vintage…”

So, when Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote decades ago that this is “one of the great sleepers of the vintage and probably the best Clos de Marquis I have ever tasted, this wine could easily compete with many of the vintage’s classified growths” he accurately predicted Jeb’s fresh tasting note below, but he could not have foreseen the expansion of its recommended drinking window through 2046 now!

Léoville Las Cases is one of the most recognizable, sought-after properties in the Médoc. Sited next to Latour, their iconic gate facing the highway, many consider it to be ‘the 6th First Growth’. Today, this bottling of theirs can be had UNDER $100?! You just don’t find deals like this.

Let’s explain. Since 1902, they have made a separate wine from a part of the vineyard, a bit inland from the walled off vines that make the LLC Grand Vin. STILL, though, this was still part of the historic Léoville estate, surrounded by the other second growths that bear that name. Therefore, it just can’t be called a Second Growth. AND, critically, it’s also not quite a traditional second wine… In plain English: Super Second quality without the price tag!**

“Invariably a favorite among Bordeaux purists, the present writer included, Las Cases’s style is rigorous and uncompromising,” raves Wine Advocate and or comparison, the 2000 Las Cases would set you back six Benjamins… that’s right. $600!

Same team from vineyard to bottle, same uncompromising and rigorous quality. And we haven’t even told you the best part! This marks the very first 2000 vintage Bordeaux ever offered on Wine Spies. Per Wine Advocate, it’s “the greatest vintage Bordeaux has ever produced. Remarkably consistent from top to bottom, there has never been a year in which so many exceptional wines were produced.”

Remember – there isn’t much… and the clock is ticking…

94 Points – Wine Spectator “The nose shows loads of plum, spice, and meat aromas, as well as hints of licorice. It’s full-bodied, with firm, yet velvety-textured tannins. It’s big and rounded. If you can’t afford Las Cases, try some of this. Some might call this a second wine, but it comes from a (separate) plot of vineyards… So it’s like its own estate. Best after 2009.”

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2000 Clos du Marquis is a beautiful, fully mature Saint-Julien from the 3rd Terrasse that I’d almost guess was Graves if tasting blind, given its scorched earth, smoke, and leafy tobacco character alongside ripe red and black fruits. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with round, soft, layered tannins, beautiful balance, and outstanding length. It’s clearly in the middle of its prime drinking window today, yet has another 15-20 years at this level. Drink 2026-2046.”

92 Points – Wine Advocate “The 2000 Clos du Marquis displays good intensity on the nose: blackcurrant, pomegranate, a touch of raspberry and vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins on the entry, graphite, and a touch of tar interlacing the dark fruits. This is very masculine and punchy at the moment, although doubtless it will mellow with another 3-4 years ageing. Tasted February 2011.”