Château Léoville-Las-Cases

Léoville-Las-Cases is the big player in St-Julien. Consistently excellent reds every year coupled with prices that can rival the First Growths, it’s no surprise Las-Cases is classed as a Super Second. The estate was split from its rivals Léoville-Poyferre and Léoville-Barton in the 1800s, and took the lion's share of the land. Since the late 19th century, the Delon family have owned the estate, taking it from strength to strength. With almost 100 hectares of vines, it is the biggest of the three Léoville properties and arguably the best situated. Its exceptional terroir is heavily influenced by the cooling waters of the Gironde Estuary, which helps ripen grapes and protects the vines from frost damage. The best parcel of vines lies in a walled vineyard, The Grand Clos, which neighbours Château Latour and is separated from Pauillac by a stream. There are three wines made - the Grand Vin, Le Petit Lion - a second wine which was introduced in 2007 - and Clos du Marquis, which is not classed as a second wine as the grapes come from the same, separate parcel of vines each vintage.