Michael Schuster: Dense, brisk Cabernet red and black fruit; fairy full with a lively acidity and a firm tannin; a taut, linear elegance, vivid and long in flavor; like the Langoa, a touch austere at the moment, but with excellent fruit persistence, and next year it will doubtless taste richer. Very good, though this (unlike the 2015) is likely to be a fairly long-term prospect. 2030–45+. 91–93

Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: Straight, remarkable balance on the acidity, little racy notes on the nose, between cedar and Havana typical of the Léoville. It could gain an extra half mark after bottling if the wood blends in harmoniously. It deserves it. 96–97