Scented and expressive on the nose, 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 but edged with sticky liquorice, clove and cedar touches giving this quite a serious feel. Dark and brooding. Tannins are super fine and well integrated, it's the flavours that are more ripe and opulent. Plenty of power and kick, this just needs time to relax a bit more. Great potential for ageing.

Minerality is the word here. Crunchy and al dente, this has firm, juicy blue fruit and tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Everything in its place. 55.5% cabernet sauvignon, 38.5% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Give it two more years to let the complexity unwind, and it will become even longer in two to three years. Drink from 2028. - Zekun Shuai

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.

Ripe and well-defined, this ripples with energy in the form of iron streaks that help carry the core of blackberry, black currant and boysenberry reduction flavors. Mouthwatering anise and iris notes bloom through the finish, along with a flash of ink. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. — J.M.

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 quaity, edges of floral aromatics as it opens, raspberry bud, the floral aspect to the nose appears as it opens up, has a lot of restrained power, chalky textire, opens up beautifull. 39% new oak for ageing. First vintage when the 2nd selection of Clos du Marquis is also included in le Petit Lion.

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 pelasure for up to 2 decades of pleasure. Drink from 2026-2042.

The 2022 Le Petit Lion is silky, open-knit and quite gracious, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. Floral and spice notes meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit. Le Petit Lion is impeccably balanced throughout. -- Antonio Galloni

(90+ points) The 2022 Le Petit Lion has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of mint, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it's dense and concentrated, with a bright core of fruit and a penetrating finish. - William Kelley