Domaines Delon have produced a really homogenous set of wines in St Julien in 2010. In a dry, concentrated year there are no surprises here with a fantastic Chateau Léoville Las Cases and an excellent Clos du Marquis.

Looking at the rainfall and climate data for both Chateau Léoville Las Cases and Clos du Marquis, 2010 was a cool year, in temperature terms in the same category as 2002, 2007 and 2004. Yet in rainfall terms like 2005. When compared to 2009, the growth cycle was cooler and drier at the beginning, sunnier and hotter in July and then cooler and drier in August and September. The vintage spanned September 28 to October 13. The yields on the properties were very low, around 27 hl/ha. Overall alcohols for Chateau Léoville Las Cases and Clos du Maquis were in the 13.7% and 13.6%, with slightly higher acids and lower pH for the former than the latter but in both cases unusually fresh. Chateau Léoville Las Cases is classic and extremely brooding and dense.

Chateau Léoville Las Cases

Deep and saturated in colour; blackcurrant, cassis and graphite; quite bold and muscular; very deep and brooding, depth; thick and dense wine with lots of extract and material; tannins very ripe, considerable and chewy but nicely done. Lots of depth and chew here. Very big and broad. Dense wine with excellent length. 95-97/100 [82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc 13.7 alc, IPT 74]  7 April 2011. Tasted at the Chateau.

Clos du Marquis

Thick and saturated with colour; legs; brooding cassis and blackcurrants; intense and deep. Lots of blackcurrants on the palate, deep and intense; little thick but good concentration, chew and extract. Extract and tannin. Good length. 91-93/100 [75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc 13.6 alc, IPT 66] 7 April 2011 tasted at Chateau Léoville Las Cases

Le Petit Lion [second wine of Léoville Las Cases]

Deep and dense; some cassis, some mineral, graphite; palate sweet entry, quite thick but well handled; chewy and dense; good length. Quite attractive 88-90/100 [52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot 13.7 alc, IPT 63] Tasted at Chateau Léoville Las Cases 7 April 2011.