Le Petit Lion 2015 - Château Léoville Las Cases - Saint-Julien

Vinous

90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 10/07/2019

The 2015 Le Petit Lion has fleshy red cherry and strawberry on the nose, nicely defined with touches of tar and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with bitter cherry on the entry, moderate depth, quite fresh and taut with a straitlaced, rather Pauillac-inspired finish. This is a fine second wine from Las-Cases, although it has tightened up in the last few months. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 02/03/2018

The 2015 Le Petit Lion is a mix of younger vines and some older Merlot vines from Las Cases that did not fit into the grand vin during the assemblage. It has a very composed bouquet with scents of raspberry, bilberry, cedar and light sea spray scents that gather pace with aeration. The palate is very pure on the entry, much more succulent than I was expecting, though that derives from the 60% Merlot. This is quite plush and sensual with touches of black truffle and white pepper toward the long finish. This is an excellent deuxième vin. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2030. 

Vinous

92 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 27/02/2018

The 2015 Le Petit Lion is layered, silky and super-expressive, with lovely aromatic nuance, nicely layered fruit and fine overall balance. Beautifully nuanced and expressive, with striking interplay of aromatics, fruit and structure, the 2015 Petit Lion is a very pretty second wine well worth taking a look at.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

par James Molesworth le 15/02/2018

A seek, pure, driven style, with a beam of cassis and creamed blackberry fruit laced with subtle iron and violet notes. Tightly focused, with the iron element ringing through the finish. Best from 2019 through 2032. 6,667 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

par James Suckling le 12/02/2018

Blueberries, blackcurrants and hints of flowers and sandalwood. Full body, very fine tannins and a salt, gravel and blackberry aftertaste. Drink in 2020 but already very pretty.

Decanter.com

91 / 100

par Jane Anson le 26/01/2018

The vines are located 300m from the Clos de Marquis, and yet the difference in terroir expression is remarkable. I just love Le Petit Lion, it is such a brilliant reflection of the grand vin without having to wait so long. It is still tight, intense and focussed, but with a kick of sweetness to the fruit. All of the old Merlots of the estate pretty much go into this wine.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91 / 100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 30/11/2017

Vinifera

4 / 5

le 31/05/2016

Robe sombre. Profil expansif, crémeux. Entrée en bouche évasée, fondante. Belle forme de vin, souple et sphérique. Finale sur un tanin ciselé et épicé.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 30/04/2016

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon brought together a wine with St. Julien character that can be enjoyed on the young side. With dark fruits and tobacco in its earthy, medium bodied personality, it won't take long to deliver the goods. This wine reached 13.85% alcohol.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2016

The 2015 Le Petit Lion is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 60% Merlot cropped at 39 hl/ha and matured in 30% new oak. It consists of younger vines from Leoville Las Cases, plus some of the old Merlot vines (which is why there is only 6% in the Grand Vin). It has quite a broody bouquet at first, though it opens up over the course of five to ten minutes, offering blackberry, bilberry, tar and graphite aromas, erring a little towards Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin in the mouth, a keen thread of acidity, noticeable graphite notes again towards the finish that reinforces that Pauillac-like semblance. This is a commendable deuxième vin, one bolstered by that old Merlot vine this year.

Vinous

90-93 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 27/04/2016

The 2015 Le Petit Lion, the second wine from Léoville Las Cases is superb. Racy, opulent and inviting, the 2015 hits all the right notes. In this vintage, the blend includes all the old-vine Merlot off the property, which gives the Lion added texture, power and breadth. Those elements come through loud and clear. Crème de cassis, blackberry, spice, leather and menthol build to the cream, voluptuous finish. This is a terrific showing, not to mention one of the sleepers of the vintage and fabulous second wine from Las Cases.

Decanter.com

90 / 100

par Steven Spurrier le 27/04/2016

A blend of young Cabernet and old Merlot vines produce a racy, elegant wine that’s a little lighter than its sister second wine Clos du Marquis but still very finely made. 2019-2028

timatkin.com

92 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 20/04/2016

Jancis Robinson

16,5 /

par Jancis Robinson le 18/04/2016

40% young Cabernet Sauvignon, 60% old Merlot (because Las Cases does not have much Merlot). 30% new oak. Mid crimson. Spicy, soft nose - really rather charming. Transparent and much more accessible than Las Cases. Racy. Sells for a little less than Clos du Marquis. 13.85% Drink 2023-203216.5+

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

par Roger Voss le 15/04/2016

Barrel Sample. Firm and dark in character, this is a dense, concentrated wine that is more than just a second wine. It has rich plum flavors that are shot through with acidity and a tight texture. 93 points

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

par James Suckling le 05/04/2016

Solid second wine with stone and mineral aromas and flavors. Full body, firm and silky tannins. Reserved and very tight. 60% merlot and the rest cabernet sauvignon.