Le Petit Lion 2019 (750ML)

92-94+ Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: "The 2019 Le Petit Lion blend this year is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot... It is aging in French oak barriques, 30% new. Managing director Pierre Graffeuille informed me that this wine is mainly a blend of the younger vines of Léoville Las Cases-three- to 20-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines-with some of the old Merlot (40-70 years) from the Las Cases enclosure. "It is a great combo to add old Merlot to young Cabernet Sauvignon!" he commented. Sporting a deep purple-black color, scents of Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and ripe, black plums come bounding out of the glass, shadowed by hints of menthol, potpourri, spice cake and clove oil plus a waft of aniseed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with energetic, juicy black fruits, framed by amazing freshness and ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with a lively, invigorating lift. This is very different from the grand vin and yet is a wonderful alternative expression of the vineyard. For true fans of Las Cases, I would really recommend buying both this and the grand vin, because together they create an even more interesting story of the vintage at this incredible property!" 6/20

90-92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2019 Le Petit Lion, matured in 30% new oak, was slightly muted on the nose and required 10-15 minutes to really open. Eventually it reveals crisp black fruit laced with ash and sous-bois scents. The palate is medium-bodied with pastille-like purity on the entry. Fleshier than the aromatics suggest, it is very well balanced with just a dab of sea salt towards the crisp, fresh finish. This will be a delight to drink over the next decade." 6/2

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2019 Le Petit Lion is plush, deep and layered, but in a mid-weight style that will be approachable with minimal cellaring. Élevage has rendered the 2019 quite a bit more accessible than the barrel sample suggested. Bright red-toned fruit, chalk and lifted floral accents all grace this mid-weight second wine from Las-Cases. The 2019 is built on a core of old-vine Merlot and younger vine Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Franc to round things out." 02/22

95 Points, James Suckling: "Blackberry, blackcurrant and wet-earth character with spice and sweet tobacco. Bark and cloves, too. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a long finish. Excellent second wine from Las Cases. Best with three to four years of bottle age, but try after 2024." 02/22