Le Petit Lion 2017 (750ML)

92 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: “An extremely polished and plush red with silky, ripe fruit, such as blueberries and blackberries. Medium to full body with a juicy, savory palate of fruit to the ripe and creamy tannins. Really pretty. A blend of 52% merlot, 34% cabernet sauvignon and 14% cabernet franc. Second wine of Château Léoville Las Cases. Drink after 2022.” 01/20

93 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: “This has some nice sweet red-fruit aromas, but is a bit on the dry, tannic side. A solid Pessac-Léognan nonetheless. Second wine of Haut-Bailly.” 02/17

91 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: “Plenty of signature character of the main wine, this is packed with graphite, cassis, liquorice and truffle. A great 2nd wine that is always worth getting to know, not least to see what awaits at Leoville after a few decades of patience. This has pretty tight tannis, from old Merlot vines which have a ton of complexity and grace. This is one of the very few 2nd wines in 2017 that stands up to the vintage. This has improved over ageing but give it another two or three years to soften that austerity. 3.67pH.” 11/19

92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: “The second wine of this great estate, the 2017 Le Petit Lion is 52% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 35% new French oak. This ruby/purple-hued effort offers a beautiful violet character as well as notes of mulberries, blueberries, graphite, and crushed rocks. It shows the elegant, seamless style of the vintage, has medium-bodied, depth and richness, silky tannins, and is just perfectly balanced.” 02/20