Antonio Galloni

"The 2019 Le Petit Lion is a blend of old-vine Merlot and younger vine Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep and savory in the glass, the Petit Lion is wonderfully expressive today. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2019, as it has quite a bit of tannin lurking beneath all the rich fruit. More than anything else, it is the wine's persistence and finish that really stands out." -Vinous

Robert Parker

"The 2019 Le Petit Lion blend this year is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot, harvested from the 20th of September to the 9th of October. The alcohol weighed in at 14.01% with a pH of 3.55 and an IPT of 75. 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."

Decanter

"The grapes come from within the walled L'Enclos for this 2nd wine, and straight away you see a higher intensity and focus than with the more open Clos de Marquis. The majority Merlot gives a plump character to the ripe berry fruits but they are old vines with plenty of intensity. Great entry point to Las Cases, with lift and focus on the finish - you still get the austerity and tight tannic delivery that is part and parcel of the Las Cases experience, but there is juice and pleasure waiting here. 30% new oak."