Petit Lion de Las Cases 2019

The 2019 Le Petit Lion is excellent, offering up nots of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and lively palate that’s nicely concentrated, concluding with a long, saline finish. It’s produced from vines within the clos of Léoville-Las Cases itself—mainly young-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and old-vine, less optimally exposed Merlot in a block that borders Latour. Drink 2021-2041.

The 2019 Le Petit Lion offers light brambly black fruit laced with browning autumn leaves and Earl Grey on the nose, which is classic in style, fresh and well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, like the Clos du Marquis, gaining some density and muscle during its élevage. Crisp and quite saline on the finish, this will deserve a little longer in bottle than I anticipated before. Very fine. 14.01% alcohol. 2024 - 2035

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.

From the first sip Le Petit Lion, we are in the universe of Léoville Las Cases. Dripping with pencil lead and graphite, crushed rocks and restrained elegance, pure and chiselled cassis and bilberry fruits. The personality of this wine is something to behold and enjoy. All grapes come from within the walled L'Enclos that runs alongside the river, on the border of St Julien and Pauillac, and as with the main wine it takes its character from each appellation. 30% new oak. 3.55ph.