With Grandpa Geise in Mechanicsburg, PA. After a day at the Ned White Museum for Nature and Art in Millersburg, PA. Leoville Las Cases is a top second-growth Bordeaux, and 1945 was a memorable year. Michael Broadbent is my favorite Bordeaux writer -- here's what he had to say about the 1945 vintage:
"1945. 5 stars. Arguably one of the greatest vintages of the 20th century, and in my opinion eclipsiing the 1961. An early harvest yielded magnificent, long-lasting wines of the highest quality. The very small crop size was the result of severe frosts in May, when the vines were literally nipped in the bud. The wines' exceptional ripeness, concentration, and power were due to a summer of drought and excessive heat... New oak barrels were a thing of the future as was the influence of the consultant oenologist."
Here's Broadbent's take on the '45 Leoville Las Cases:
"Several very variable notes, but mainly excellent. Fabulous colour; rich, blossoming bouquet but still very tannic. Last tasted July 1989. At best, 5 stars."
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