Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases 2022

Delicately scented, with a subtle herbal note, ripe dark berries, cassis and licorice; elegant palate, tannins not overpowering, crisp fruit, showing opulence, verve and finesse; red-fruited finish, mint on the aftertaste. Will be enjoyable quite soon.

Scented and expressive on the nose, with lots of purple flowers, blackcurrants and mocha aromas. Intense and concentrated on the palate, this has rich blackcurrant and sun-kissed cherry fruit with a really juicy core, edged with sticky liquorice, clove and cedar touches that give this quite a serious feel. Dark and brooding. Tannins are super-fine and well integrated; it’s the flavours that are riper and more opulent. Plenty of power and drive; this just needs a bit more time to relax. Great ageing potential.

The wine displays a depth of flavor equal to many Classified Growths. Layers of black currants, blackberries, mint, and an array of spices are all over the place here. Texturally, the wine is rich, creamy, and supple, with loads of sweet, dark red fruits, and a touch of salt in the finish. This is a good example of a baby Leoville Las Cases. The wine blends 55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.5% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Give it just a year or two of aging, and this is going to provide pleasure for up to two decades. Drink from 2026–2042.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening at the rim. Fine herbal savoriness, dark wild berries, blackberries and a touch of liquorice, tobacco, mineral notes. Medium complexity, red confit fruit, fresh acidity, light-footed, delicate style, red berries on the finish. (1/25).

The second wine of Château Léoville Las Cases, the 2022 Le Petit Lion, is medium to full-bodied, featuring cassis, graphite, crushed stone, scorched earth, and violets. Nicely integrated oak and fine tannins add to its polished balance. Aged in oak barrels, it’s a stunning second wine that should drink well for 15+ years.

55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.5% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Delicate, blueberry-driven bouquet with beguiling violets, Brazilian tobacco and blueberry jelly. On the elegant palate, a butter-soft texture, lively tension, a tightly woven tannic framework, and very subtle, robust notes underneath. In the focused finish, the St. Julien streamlines, with plum skin, white pepper, and granular extract. The new second wine comes from old Merlot and young Cabernet vines from Las Cases, as well as the young vines of Clos du Marquis.

Smudged crayon, lovely deep dark fruit, there are firm tannins here that give shape and form to the wine, waves of dark pepper spice, great quality, edges of floral aromatics as it opens, raspberry bud; the floral aspect on the nose appears as it opens up, has a lot of restrained power, chalky texture, opens up beautifully. 39% new oak for ageing. First vintage when the 2nd selection of Clos du Marquis is also included in Le Petit Lion.

Smelling this wine is like opening the door to a secret garden: it reveals a breathtaking sapidity. On the palate, a full, enveloping, and voluminous texture where dark, velvety red fruit mingles with that ever-savory florality.

Dark, intense, purplish color. An intense nose with powerful fruit, fine, pure, fruity and even complex. It becomes noble with a swirl of the glass. A touch of vanilla. Everything melts on the palate—noble, complex, delicate and long. There is great terroir in this glass.