Wild berries, blackberries and nuts with wood and herbal undertones on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. Savory and well balanced on the palate with a chewy, flavorful finish. Tight. Second wine of Leoville Las Cases. 45% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon and 17% cabernet franc. Try after 2024.

The second wine of Château Léoville Las Cases, the 2018 Le Petit Lion checks in as a more Merlot-dominated wine that is 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It also sees slightly less new oak, being brought up in 30% new oak. Beautiful crème de cassis, graphite, white flowers, cedary herbs, and tobacco give way to medium to full-bodied, elegant wine with classy, fine-grained tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 20+.

As with the grand vin, you can see this will be approachable a little earlier than most years, without sacrificing ageing ability if you really want to hold on. Harvested between 18 September and 10 October, 2018 is the first year ever in the history of Las Cases that the Cabernets achieved higher alcohols than the Merlots, as a result of the young Cabernet vines suffering in the heat. 35% of total production is in the Petit Lion. It's a gorgeous wine and is a brilliant way to get some LLC love a little earlier than usual. There are some clear graphite and cassis notes, with the power of the vintage balanced by a creamy, juicy texture through the mid-palate. As ever this is a mix of the younger Cabernets and the oldest Merlots from L'Enclos plot, aged in 30% new oak. 3.49pH. IPT68.

Here you find a family resemblance to the Grand Vin. Lighter, closer to ready to drink and softer for sure, but this Baby Las Cases is perfect for restaurants and early drinking with its black raspberry and currant profile, coupled with round tannins, a fruit filled, supple textured finish and hints of tobacco. Enjoy this over the next decade or more while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% ABV. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2018&wine=Le%20Petit%20Lion%20du%20Marquis%20de%20Las%20Cases

The 2018 Le Petit Lion is blended of 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, sourced from within the Las Cases enclosure. The wine has 14.47% alcohol and was aged in 30% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of black and red cherry preserves, freshly crushed blackcurrants and smoked meats with hints of dried bay leaves, Sichuan pepper and clove oil plus a touch of tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the impressive black fruit and savory layers, finishing with an invigorating herbal lift. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Reserved in style, but very sleek, with a hint of iron running just under the cover of dark plum and cassis notes. The finish is tightly-grained and focused, with a flash of charcoal at the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. – JM