JAMES SUCKLING
Leuta Tau
2010 91 pts
Smells like freshly cut flowers with dried berries and hints of bark. Full body, with chewy tannins and a fresh, tangy acidity. Shows lots of energy. Give it two or three years to soften. A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Try in 2015.
2011: 92 pts
A wonderfully floral bouquet of roses and lavender with hints of raspberries. A juicy, succulent full body enveloped by velvety tannins before a sophisticated finish. The use of barrique comes across nicely but not too much. A very well-made, sexy wine. Drink in 2016.
2012: 91 pts
A delicious blend that delivers plenty of spice, dried fruit and berry aromas and flavors. Full body, silky tannins and a crisp finish. Lightly austere tannins. Drink or hold.
2013: 94 pts
A tangy red with dried cherry, chocolate and cedar character. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a refined, lightly velvety textured finish. A cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah blend. Drink now or hold.
2014: 90 pts
Dried cranberries, raspberry cheesecake and dried spices. Medium body, juicy tannins and a fruity finish. Drink now.
Leuta 0,618 Syrah
2011: 92 pts
Bing cherry, strawberry preserve, caramel, salted chocolate, roasted espresso, spice, custard, camp fire and incense. Full-bodied, modern style. Drink now.
2012: 92 pts
A spicy, rich red with hits of prunes and meat. Full body with round, chewy tannins. Better in 2017.
2013: 92 pts
A soft and velvety red with plum and vanilla. Medium to full body and a savory finish. I like the underlying acidity. Drink now.
2014: not produced
2015: 91 pts
There’s some pretty blue fruit on display here. Blueberry tart, elderberries and baking spices all come to the surface, as well as citrus. Full-bodied and round on the palate with a touch of fruit compote on the finish. Drink now.
Leuta 1,618 Merlot
2009: 92 pts
Richly perfumed with cherry cola, herbs and spices. Medium-bodied with a silky texture, a generous oak frame and a chewy tannin finish. Drink now.
2010: 93 pts
A very pretty merlot with dark-fruit, chocolate and mineral aromas and flavors. Full body with round, silky tannins. Aftertaste of earth with hints of hazelnut. Drink now.
2011: 86 pts
This is a bit earthy with some berry and plum character. Medium body, soft texture. Simple finish. Drink now.
2012: 92 pts
Aromas of lightly cooked fruit, tobacco, green olives and and herbs follow through to a full body, soft and velvety tannins and a savory finish. Delicious finish of fruit and leafs.
2013: 92 pts
A linear and fine-grained red with plum, coffee and chocolate character. Medium body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink now.
2014: 88 pts
There’s quite a lot of candied fruit on the nose of this, as well as frozen strawberries and plum liqueur. Full-bodied and juicy but a little jammy on the finish. Drink now.
Solitario di Leuta
2009: 90 pts
A red with dried cherries and meat aromas. Full body, round tannins and a medium finish. A little closed right now. Better in 2015 when the tannins soften.
2010: 91 pts
Zesty nose of braised beef, cherry flambé and shaved chocolate. A dynamic medium-bodied wine with nice grip, structure and balance. Drink now.
2011: 92 pts
Gorgeous sangivoese with cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium body, a solid core of fruit and ripe tannins. Long finish. Drink now.
2013: 91 pts
Subtle and fruity cabernet franc with chocolate, berry and hints of almond aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.
2012: 92 pts
Gorgeous sangivoese with cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium body, a solid core of fruit and ripe tannins. Long finish. Drink now.
Leuta 2,618 Cabernet Franc
2010: 91 pts
A wine with compelling, cooked plums and on the nose and palate. Full and softly textured with lots of cherry and berry character. Pure Cabernet Franc. Better in 2015.
2011: 90 pts
A ripe and slightly raisiny red with refined tannins and a juicy finish. More Loire-style than Bordeaux. Drink now.
2013: 91 pts
Subtle and fruity cabernet franc with chocolate, berry and hints of almond aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.
2014: 89 pts
A slightly lifted nose with a light body and plenty of cherry fruits. Drink now.
2015: 91 pts
Brambleberries, tar, tobacco and spices. Full body, juicy tannins and a medium-chewy finish that’s nicely wound up by pretty acidity. Drink now.
Nautilus di Leuta Single Barrel Select
2010: 93 pts
A red with floral, blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, very dense and intense but always fresh and beautiful. Linear and bright. A special selection of sangiovese, syrah and merlot. Try in 2017.
2011: 92 pts
A beautiful, juicy red with plum, chocolate and berry character. Full and velvety-textured. Savory finish. I like the almost salty undertone to the ripe-cherry character. Drink now.
2012: 93 pts
This is wonderfully soft and caressing on the palate with ripe plum and berry character, plus hints of chocolate. Full body, long and flavorful. Drink or hold.
2014: 93 pts
The nose is defined by plenty of ripe strawberry character as well as cherry essence, lavender and crushed violets. Full body, round tannins and a ripe yet uplifted finish. Seriously delightful. Drink now.
2015: 91 pts
Shows dried red plums, spices, tobacco and cherry essence. Full body, round yet grainy tannins and a medium-chewy finish. Shows good purity of fruit and depth. Drink now.