This Second Growth estate produces a powerful, rich and classy Saint-Julien made with no compromises, often quite Pauillac-like in its black fruit and mineral character and firm tannic spine. Wines are generally deeply colored, hugely concentrated and generally in need of extended aging. After a major overhaulling of the vineyards in the 1950s, vines average 30 years in age. The estate produces one of the most expensive Médoc wine after the first growths, but many Bordeaux aficionados consider Las Cases to be at virtually the same level of quality.