Not dissuading from purchasing, but personal experiences with the property’s wines, mostly from vintages 80s/90s/70s is that they are slow to evolve and drink-ability at a satisfactory level occur after a long optimal cellaring.
Although I’m excited for having some 2000s (and 95s/96s) in my remote storage, I do not have the enthusiasm to open and try in 5 years.
For less than the price of the 2000, I would buy some of the brilliant 1985, especially if you can find the late release, for drinking over the next two decades. If you are actuarially likely to live for another thirty years, then maybe buy some 2016, too.
If you actually want to drink a mature LLC in the next five years, based on my experience, the best vintages would be 82, 85 and 90. My favorite is the ‘90, and it’s less expensive than the ‘82, and about the same price at auction as the younger vintages you mentioned.
I have 2 bottles of the 2000. Or rather, my estate has 2 bottles of the 2000. At my age (and I am not as old as some of you!), my motto is buy old LLC, or buy something else.
Howard I did consider 1996 and still considering it. It’s priced very attractively at place I buy from in the UK.
All - when I said I can consume in 5+ years, I meant I would give 2000 vintage at least 5 more years and then consumer it between 5-10.
All of this talk is certainly getting me off the 2016 bandwagon, unless I want to forget about it for 20-30 years. Hopefully I will appreciate buying it in my 60s
As of right now then options are 1989 or 96. 86 and 90 are more expensive and 85 is hard to procure. I will see what the winery says about 85.
I concur. I love Leoville Las Cases but find the sweet spot is often at 25-30 years. Unless you are quite young, would not be buying 2016. 2000 might be great in 5-10 years but we had a 2000 last year at a Bordeaux tasting and it was still quite hard and really didn’t yield after being open more than 6 hours total. This wine requires patience and time.
I can’t disagree about the '85 and '90. They are good.
My records tell me I had the '85 in 2015 and as well as in 2 separate dinner off-lines in 2018. In all instances, they were in great drinking shape. I’m sure I added some TNs here.
My last 1990 was in 2016. A memorable drinker in a happy zone.
